In English grammar^x, Conversations^x

I completely agree that written papers, especially in formal context must agree with grammar aspects. Otherwise ambiguities can arise. @ grammar geek: The stop sign comparison is a very good one. You are right, not using correct grammar does not mean that we do not know how to produce a well...

I'm sure it's the same for all natural languages. In the flow of conversation, people make mistakes in their grammar. Tenses and agreements go awry, but the benefit of context and non-verbal communication allows the meaning to be understood regardless. It's harder not to be tripped up and...

Hi allIt would be interesting to hear from nonnative speakers of English in particular what influence English exerts on other languages nowadays. What English words and expressions are used in your language? Does English grammar or syntax have an influence on your native language? Where is this...

Hi, Tell me where to use have & had. That's a large question Have you looked in a good grammar book to read about the Perfect tenses? That's the best thing to do first. Have you ever studied the Perfect tenses before? Please tell me whether the following sentences are correct or not? 1)I...

I agree with you milky. To dismiss conversational English purely because it's more complicated to explain is no answer at all! Most students 'know' that conversational English differs from what they generally learn in the classroom, which is why many students ask specifically for 'conversation'...

J Lewis: Thank you for the explanation of 'soccer'. I knew it had been coined from 'association', but didn't know it had been done by the British.Words like 'clothesline' are in dictionaries, so it's understandable that the plural s is there. A United Nations assembly is not in dictionaries and...

Hello, Shabnam.I have been reading this thread and I want to say that I admire you for wanting to improve yourself. Although you are having a few problems with English grammar, so are millions of other people. Many people who speak only English cannot even read or write. You are blessed that...

Swagatalakshmi wrote:OK - consulted couple of grammar books."Participles" (verb+-ing or verb in past participle form) ALWAYS modify nouns.If you see a verb +-ing used as a stand-alone phrase (noun) which is not modifying anything, it must be a gerund. There is nothing called "adverbial...

Alienvoord, I appreciate you're constructive criticism. Allow me to rebute:1) Comprehensible, yes. But many expressions are comprehensible even without being gramatically sound. The nuances I try to reveal in this post are to help you write better gramatically, not to sound or to write...

Also from Jespersen, historical examples of cases where back-shifting hasn't been applied: -------------- Finally, I give some examples in which the tense has not been adjusted to that of the chief {main - M. Hancu} verb: Shakespeare: I should be still Plucking the grasse to know where...