We have partnered with TradePub to bring you free industry magazines and resources - no coupons or credit cards required!

Visit: englishforums.tradepub.com


Share this topic:
This question is Not Answered
Latest post Sun, Dec 26 2004 7:29 PM by Guest. 1 replies.
Suggest an answer | | |
Guest  +  63539 Sun, 26 Dec 04 07:29 PM
Hi ! I have a question...probably as everyone who posts here....;)

a.) QUESTION 1

Which version of the sentence is correct , and why ?

1.) You never know what will happen next .
2.) You never know what what's gonna happen next .
3.) You never know what happens next .
4.) You never know what's happening next .

If it's correct to use 2 or all of them then in what kinds of situation I can say these sentences ?

b.) QUESTION 2

When I say 'killing' or some other word that ends with -ing , then can I use an apostrophe instead of 'g' (killin') ? If YES then why ? :]

Thanx in advance guysSmile [:)]
Mister Micawber  +  63617 Mon, 27 Dec 04 12:08 PM

Question I:

Number (2) has too many 'what's, and 'gonna' is unacceptable except in slovenly spoken language.

Number (3) would only be useful in limited contexts: 'you never know what happens next until after you've seen the movie'.

(1) and (4) are fine are fine for general use, as is (2a) 'You never know what's going to happen next.'

You can use any of these latter three in essentially the same situations, and no one will notice your choice. The 'what' clauses all refer to the future.


Question II:

It is difficult to use an apostrophe when you are saying anything. In the written language, you can only contract 'killing' to 'killin' ' when you are writing a novel (or otherwise displaying dialogue) and the characters are speaking casually:

'Wha'tchy'all doin'?'
'B'lin' up a cuppa'
'Min' effen I j'in yerz?'
'Naw, mate. Gotta mug?'

It cannot be done in any sort of formal writing-- essays, business letters, or in asking questions here-- but you are free to use the form in personal letters.


Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004
Yokohama
Veteran Member 30,780
'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
© MediaCet Ltd. 2009, v5.0.3607.32596. All content posted by our users is a contribution to the public domain, this does not include imported usenet posts.*
For web related enquires please contact us on webmaster@mediacet.com, status updates are available at status.mediacet.com.
*Usenet post removal: Use 'X-No-Archive'. You may not have understood that your posts would end up in the public domain. Please send proof of the poster's email, we will remove immediately.