In Clauses^x, Conversations^x

Hi, I think you can use a comma to sort of link two separately written, yet very related-in-content clauses like this: Thank you, it was good to receive a gift of appreciation by you last week. I think 'Thank you' and what follows can be thought of as two separate clauses yet can be...

Avangi, I know you said you would rewrite if clause in present tense. However, I'd like to understand why you wrote it in the present tense followed by woulds. I'm sure your structure is correct and natural and by understanding it, it'll help me understand native speakers better and...

I know 'would' carries many meanings. My problem is sometimes I find it difficult to tell which meaning the speaker uses. I think I understand its hypothetical usage, and in some contexts, its politeness usage. Below is a post that has several woulds I have trouble interpreting. I also...

I have underlined some problem areas: The Woman Within the Doll The Baltimore Sun wrote that back in 1879, “A Doll's House” by Henrik Ibsen “shocked and offended people wherever feet” (1031). This might have caused him to become the “half-drowned” kind of man, as he refers...

Hello FH, My comment was only half-serious. Consider these examples: 1. A said that B is pretty. 2. A said that B was pretty. In ordinary conversation, you will hear both forms; and in both forms, the addressee will understand that "B = pretty" represents the opinion of A at the time of...

Hi Gary, W. Somerset Maugham said, "The subjunctive mood is in its death throes, and the best thing to do is to put it out of its misery as soon as possible." I personally love it, but I'm in my seventies. I don't think it or I can last much longer. It will take a lot of work to really learn...

My try: "If I were in New York, I would visit the current exhibition at the Metropolitian Museum," he said. This sentence means that he is not in New York at the time of speaking. He said that if he were in NY, he would visit the ... This is called indirect speech. After you have...

Much better, Fandorin! A few more:I've seen this movie twice and it astonishes me a lot. Each person fits into themselves a bit of truth . There were many films with the same scenario but Mikhalkov can brings ( the main purpose deeply into our souls. An old Jew said that he had very many...

I have underlined any remaining problems and answered your questions, I think. You seem to have created some new problems: I've seen this movie twice and it astonishes me a lot. Each person fits into themselves a bit of truth . Although there are many of films with the same scenario however...

Philip wrote:common sense "corrects" the intended meaning.C.B. Thanks for pointing this out. I love the way you exprssed it! I am seldom guilty of this common error myself, but I often don't catch it it others' writing. I guess I have a good deal of common sense.Hi PhilipAs I said, similar...