Anonymous  +  165237 Fri, 02 Dec 05 11:00 AM I need some grammr help. Please look at the following sentences. When I get ill she is healthy/fine, and vice versa. In the above, do you need the comma? -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.I have already bought some CD disks. 2.I already have bought some CD disks. My question is on the position of the word 'already'. Which is the correct one? I guess both could be written. You might find some differences in BrE and AmE. .................................................................................................................... 3. I tried in vain to contact him. 4. I in vain tried to contact him.   [ I called the person several times without any success.] My question is on the words 'in vain' . Which sentence is the correct one? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your comments are very welcome. Anonymous Commas

	pieanne  +  165256 Fri, 02 Dec 05 12:22 PM I'd say 1. When I'm ill, she's healthy/fine, and vice-versa. 2. I have already bought some CDs. 3.I tried in vain to contact him/I tried to contact him in vain/I tried to contact him, but in vain.   pieanne Joined on Thu, Jan 20 2005 South of France ...But I'm Belgian! Veteran Member 7,517 I'm glad to help, but I'm not a native! And please excuse my typos...

	Rex  +  165283 Fri, 02 Dec 05 02:15 PM Thanks pieanne When I get ill  ...... You didn't like the above. I would like to know why you didn't approve my way of writing. Rex Joined on Wed, Jul 28 2004 Full Member 358

	pieanne  +  165287 Fri, 02 Dec 05 02:21 PM Well, it may be personal, but it's because of "vice-versa". I feel it's good to establish a sort of balance/similarity between both parts. I'm ill, she's OK. She's OK, I'm ill. Or it could be "I get ill, she gets OK, etc...", but it doesn't sound quite right... You can wait for a native's opinion, if you like?    pieanne

	CalifJim  +  165531 Sat, 03 Dec 05 02:56 AM It's definitely a matter of parallelism. When I get ill (become ill), she gets well (becomes well). OR: When I am ill, she is well. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,452 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche