Click here to play!

sentences grammatically acceptable or not

Click here to play
   Share on Facebook  
Yngwie  #157637  Fri, 11 Nov 05 10:04 PM

Hi!
I need some help...Are these sentences grammatically acceptable?

a) I am not used to have to say not
b) I'd be careful who you said that to
c) I was amazed by the fact that Peter should arrive late
d) Peter was sure that Penny should finish the project on time
e) They were cruel doing such a thing
f) He was uncertain where to park his car
g) He is hopeless at to fix things
h) That film was fascinating to watch
i) They were indignant that happened
j) They were insistent that all details should be specified in the contract

In my opinion, I would change:

a) I am not used to having to say no

d) Peter was sure that Penny finished the project on time 

g) He is hopeless at fixing things

f) and h) are ok for me

What do you think?

  
Not Ranked
Joined on Fri, Nov 11 2005
New Member (01)
paco2004  #157653  Fri, 11 Nov 05 10:39 PM

Hello Yngwie

I am a learner but let me try.

a) I am not used to having to say not. [I agree with you.]
b) I'd be careful (who)/whom you said that to. [I rather choose"whom"]
c) I was amazed by/at the fact that Peter should arrive late. [by and at are both OK]
d) Peter was sure that Penny would finish the project on time. [I think it should be future-in-past]
e) They were cruel doing/(to do) such a thing. [doing and to do are both OK]
f) He was uncertain where to park his car. OK
g) He is hopeless at fixing things.[I agree with you]
h) That film was fascinating to watch. OK
i) They were indignant about/at/over what happened. [indignant that happened?]
j) They were insistent that all details should be specified in the contract. OK

Please wait native speakers' opinions.

paco

  
Top 25 Contributor
Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004
Senior Member (4,095)
In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English.
Clive  #157665  Fri, 11 Nov 05 11:44 PM

Hi guys,

I added a few comments to Paco's version, in pink.

a) I am not used to having to say not. [I agree with you.] More natural is 'I am not used to having to say no'. Why would you say 'not'?
b) I'd be careful (who)/whom you said that to. [I rather choose"whom"]More natural is 'I'd be careful who I said that to'
c) I was amazed by/at the fact that Peter should arrive late. [by and at are both OK] OK but very formal. More natural is '...Peter arrived late'
d) Peter was sure that Penny would finish the project on time. [I think it should be future-in-past]
e) They were cruel doing/(to do) such a thing. [doing and to do are both OK] 'To do' is the more natural
f) He was uncertain where to park his car. OK
g) He is hopeless at fixing things.[I agree with you]
h) That film was fascinating to watch. OK
i) They were indignant about/at/over what happened. [indignant that happened?] indignant about/at/over what happened sounds OK
j) They were insistent that all details should be specified in the contract. OK
More natural is '... all the details ...'

Best wishes, Clive

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member (20,461)
ModeratorTeachers
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions