ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: preventable energy crisis

optilang — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:37:49 GMT

I can't imagine when I'd say "This was an accident". This and was just don't go well with each other.

There is nothing wrong with:

"This was an accident waiting to happen". - talking about a specific accident after it had happened.

Re: preventable energy crisis

Clive — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:58:53 GMT

Hi,

This is getting more and more confusing to me. If you don't mind, let's drop the adjective unpredictable. I believe it doesn't affect your choice of verb. It was using the word 'unpredictable' for a current event that I took issue with.

Generally speaking, I agree with your comments about 'there' and 'this'. I also accept that we often use the word 'accident' to refer to both the event itself and the aftermath.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: preventable energy crisis

New2grammar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:43:00 GMT

This is getting more and more confusing to me. If you don't mind, let's drop the adjective unpredictable. I believe it doesn't affect your choice of verb.

For some reason, the words there and this affect the tense. There paired with was is OK but This sounds better with is. Imagine looking at a picture of an accident. Of the two words, I would choose to use 'this' and because I'm looking at it, I would use the present tense though clearly the accident occured before that: This is an accident.

I can't imagine when I'd say "This was an accident". This and was just don't go well with each other.

I'm starting to understand why you prefer the past tense over the present. Could you shed some light on This vs There?

Re: preventable energy crisis

Clive — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:05:01 GMT

Hi,

It sounds odd to say an event 'is unpredictable' after it has happened.

Using 'was' is like saying "This was an accident" and it's not right because it's still a fact It will be a fact forever.

2 cars collide at 10pm, and I am watching at 10.05pm. Typically, you'd ask me 'What happened?' and I'd respond 'There was an accident'.

What we are looking at is the result/aftermath of the accident.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: preventable energy crisis

New2grammar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:47:25 GMT

Consider that you are looking at two cars that collided 5 minutes ago.

This is a good example. But unfortunately, I'd say 'This IS an unpredictable accident" :(

My reasoning is as follows:

"This is an accident", describes what the event is. Unpredictable is just an adjective describing the accident, so it becomes "This is an unpredictable accident"

Using 'was' is like saying "This was an accident" and it's not right because it's still a fact. Help.

Re: preventable energy crisis

Clive — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:30:57 GMT

Hi,

Though I agree that 'was' is correct, I see no problem with 'is' which emphasizes that fact that the crisis is not an unpredictable issue - a statement. Could you briefly explain? I hope this is not a major mistake.

I changed 'is' to 'was' because we are now in the midst of the crisis. It's no longer a matter of predicting it.

Consider that you are looking at two cars that collided 5 minutes ago.

You could say 'This was an unpredictable accident'. But it sounds a little odd to say 'This is an unpredictable acccident'.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: preventable energy crisis

New2grammar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:10:20 GMT

The global energy crisis that is affecting almost everyone was not an unpredictable issue

Thanks you Clive. I have one question. Though I agree that 'was' is correct, I see no problem with 'is' which emphasizes that fact that the crisis is not an unpredictable issue - a statement. Could you briefly explain? I hope this is not a major mistake.

Re: preventable energy crisis

Clive — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:46:06 GMT

Hi,

Here's what I'd say.

The global energy crisis that is affecting almost everyone was not an unpredictable issue. Most countries knew this day would come, but decided to wait until it happened before taking any action. In my opinion, it would have been easily avoided if we had started investing in alternative energy in the 80s or 90s. At least, the impact would have been cushioned significantly. In fairness to most countries, I understand that it was less expensive to continue using fossil fuels than to invest in renewable ones. Unfortunately, this preventable crisis has hit us sooner than most expected.

Best wishes, Clive

preventable energy crisis

New2grammar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:31:09 GMT

The global energy crisis that is affecting almost everyone is not an unpredictable issue. Most countries knew this day would come but decided to wait until it happens before taking any action. In my opinion, it would have been easily avoided if we'd started investing in alternative energy in the 80 or 90s -- at least the impact would have been cushioned significantly. In their fairness, I understand that it was less expensive to continue using the fossil fuels than investing in renewable fuels. Unfortunate, this preventable crisis has hit us ...sooner than most thought.

Are there any mistakes?

Thanks.