ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: dialogue

New2grammar — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:05:03 GMT

Thanks, GG for the additional information. It was the first time I'd used the word picturesque. I was testing the water.

Re: dialogue

Grammar Geek — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:59:52 GMT

That version would be fine too.

As a side note, there are many national parks in the U.S. You would have to specify which one.

Lastly, picturesque is a very fine word, but a bit fancy for a casual conversation. The scenery was spectacular! The scenery was awesome. It's SO picturesque up there - I'm so glad I had my camera. But "the scenery was picuresque" falls a little flat in this kind of conversation.

Re: dialogue

New2grammar — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:09:44 GMT

Yes. That's a mistake.

Can I say, "while my sister and girlfriend played at the waterfall"? What's the difference?

Re: dialogue

Yankee — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:57:29 GMT

New2grammar
A: Hey James. ~~How's~~ How was your vacation?
James: Pretty good. I took my family to the national park. ~~and~~ It was the first time we went/had been there. The scenery was
picturesque. If I have a chance, I'd like to visit it again soon.
A: Cool. I went there last year and ( I ) caught a 10 pound catfish. My brother and I spent most of our time fishing while my
sister and girlfriend liked playing at the waterfall.
James: The waterfall was nice but the water was too cold for me. I got out in less than 2 minutes with goosebumps
A: OK. I'll let you get back to work. Talk to you later.

Hi N2G

I'd say the two biggest errors were How's (you definitely need the past tense there), and the omission of something between the words girlfriend and playing.

dialogue

New2grammar — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:35:21 GMT

A: Hey James. How's your vacation?
James: Pretty good. I took my family to the national park and it was the first time we went there. The scenery was
picturesque. If I have a chance, I'd like to visit it again soon.
A: Cool. I went there last year and I caught a 10 pound catfish. My brother and I spent most of our time fishing while my
sister and girlfriend playing at the waterfall.
James: The waterfall was nice but the water was too cold for me. I got out in less than 2 minutes with goosebumps
A: OK. I'll let you get back to work. Talk to you later.

Are there any mistakes?

Thanks in advance!