ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: enter...noisy class

Mister Micawber — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:31:31 GMT

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Yes
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Re: enter...noisy class

Vincent Teo — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:03:38 GMT

Can I say,

(a) When the teacher entered the classroom / class yesterday, the class was noisy.

(b) When the teacher entered the classroom / class just now, it was noisy.

Re: enter...noisy class

Mister Micawber — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:36:01 GMT

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Yes, those are both OK. You could also say 'were noisy', since some speakers would be thinking about the many children rather than the one group.
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Re: enter...noisy class

Vincent Teo — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:16:15 GMT

Can I say,

He entered the noisy classroom.

When he entered the classroom, the class was noisy

Re: enter...noisy class

Goodman — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:48:13 GMT

Regardless of reasons, you have not learned correctly, although you may think you have.

Many people can learn languages through immersion which is highly achievable. However,
they may not understand the grammar and mechanics of the language. We can always learn to do things
without understanding the principles. But of course there is a price to pay, and that is when we run into problems
we wouldn’t know how to fix them, as it is in your case.

I have revised your reply in natural English so that you can see where the problems are.

Thanks [for ] your advice. I have learnt much more from this website. The most important [thing]
is I’ve learned how a native thinks and speaks in natural English know what is the natural way the native
speaker thought or say. That's the only way I could have learnt which is from the website. I 'm not [able to ]
afford to buy books. Instead, I use of using the free [help on the] usage of Internet. Anyway, thanks [for] your advice, once again!!

Re: enter...noisy class

Vincent Teo — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:19:38 GMT

Thanks your advice. I have learnt more from this website. The most important is I know what is the natural way the native speaker thought or say. That's the only way I learnt from the website. I 'm not afford to buy books instead of using the free usage of Internet. Anyway, thanks your advice, once again!!

Re: enter...noisy class

Goodman — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:28:04 GMT

Vincent,
I had offered you my honest advice many times in the past basically letting you know that for the past 2 two years you had not made any improvement after all the help you got from the forum because you have chosen an incorrect method. If you had used the time to correct your English basics instead of copying patterns which you don't understand, you wouldn't make the simple tense errors. I still give you the same advice.

Re: enter...noisy class

Mister Micawber — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:00:18 GMT

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No, the tenses are unmatched and the conjunction is wrong. Use:

When he entered the class, the pupils were noisy.

Re: enter...noisy class

Vincent Teo — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:15:51 GMT

Thanks your advice.

Can I say,

While he entered the class, the pupils are noisy,

Re: enter...noisy class

Mister Micawber — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:01:28 GMT

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It is an uncommon tense and aspect, New2.

Re: enter...noisy class

New2grammar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:50:11 GMT

Mister Micawber
It makes most of your sentences slightly unreal.

I didn't know it made native speakers feel this way. It always makes me think of it as a story told as it unfolds. Is that what you call unreal, MM?

Re: enter...noisy class

Mister Micawber — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:44:51 GMT

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If I asked you to do me only one kindness, Vincent, it would be to avoid the simple present tense. It makes most of your sentences slightly unreal. Do you think that you could do that for me in the future, Vincent? Just one simple thing-- use a different tense and aspect. Use past or future or perfect or progressive:

He entered the noisy class.

When he entered the class, the class was noisy

While entering the class / classroom, it was noisy.-- No; the presumed subject must be the same for enter and be

When entering the class, the class is noisy.-- No (as above)

enter...noisy class

Vincent Teo — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:37:24 GMT

Can I say,

He enters the noisy class.

When he enters the class, the class is noisy,

While entering the class / classroom, it was noisy.

When entering the class, the class is noisy.