ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: sentences

New2grammar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:53:33 GMT

Thanks, CJ. I've been waiting for a reply to that one.

Re: sentences

CalifJim — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:28:15 GMT

New2grammar
I posted something but it turned out to be a blank post.

I would have used the phrasal verb blank out. The system blanked out your response.

Re: sentences

CalifJim — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:26:03 GMT

New2grammar
Is 'at' in "Yesterday [at] about this time of the day" optional?

It will sound sloppy without at. You may see or hear it without at, but I don't recommend it. (It's a matter of style, and that's my preference.)

New2grammar
if 'At times' is replaced with 'Sometimes", does the meaning change?

No. It's the same.

Re: sentences

New2grammar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:13:33 GMT

I have two quick questions regarding this post. I just noticed something, some alternatives.

First, Is 'at' in "Yesterday [at] about this time of the day" optional? I believe I've seen similar contructions without the preposition.

Second, if 'At times' is replaced with 'Sometimes", does the meaning change?

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

Re: sentences

New2grammar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:49:01 GMT

Actually, I was unsure whether it was correct to use blank as a verb so I looked in the dictionary. I wanted to say, I posted something but it turned out to be a blank post.

How would you describe that in a short sentence?

Re: sentences

Mister Micawber — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:43:59 GMT

.
Yesterday at about this time of the day, this site experienced technical difficulties. At times, it took a few refreshes to get to the General English Grammar Forum page. At one point, it even blanked my reply to one of the posts.

I am interested in 'blanked my reply', New2-- can you describe what happened exactly?

MM

sentences

New2grammar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:16:51 GMT

Yesterday at about this time of the day, this site experienced technical difficulties. At times, it took a few refreshs to get to the General English Grammar Forum page. At one point, it even blanked my reply to one of the posts.

Please correct any mistakes.

Thanks in advance!