By Grammar, Contractions

Anon,Here I think "we'd" stands for "we would" and not "we had"."I think we would better run".Also, it seems to me there is kind of an implied "if" clause which is why "would" makes sense :"I think we would better run".But I'm not a native... Nor am I a grammar guru...Waïti.

Hello CJThank you for the suggestion. I can rather easily explain the grammar of your sentence with a rule of WHIZ deletion (clause contraction): "The book contained only two paragraphs (which were) explaining the cause of the Civil War". But in the case of my sentence, we need a "queer WHIZ...

Hello, Joiemalagu-- and welcome to English Forums. You are speaking here of contractions-- accepted written forms used to indicate spoken language: 1. they would = they'd. I'd, you'd, he'd, she'd, we'd. The 'd contraction is also used for had. 2. they should-- no accepted...

I'm a grammar junkie, and there is one thing that is bothering me with contractions. The other night I was making the bed and said: 'Why don't the covers stay on?' and I thought about it and figured that had to be improper grammar because the sentence really says: 'Why do not the covers stay on?'...

I would appreciate any help on my grammar. Thanks Fearing Labor Childbirth is the most astonishing experience women can endure, and most are happy to subsist. Along with any pregnancy comes fear. Whether it is pain issues or problems that could develop, the fear is there and it is...

Thanks Katsudon! Is it also possible when a relative pronoun is followed by a noun phrase? For instance, "That is my brother John you think used to go out with your sister Mary." Katsu: Yes, I think it may well be dropped in casual speech, Infinity. But one thing to remember is that in fast...

Dear Joe, Sorry it 1) has taken me so long to reply to the letter you wrote 2) in May. The trouble WAS (can we put “IS” here ?yes) it 3) arrived 4) in the middle of the summer exams and I 5) was just too busy to write back. That 6) is my excuse anyway. 7) On Friday, that’s 8) in three days’...

People sometimes refer to the CGEL on this site. Conveniently, some sample chapters from this publication are now online at CGEL sample chapters The preliminary chapter includes the odd lapse of logic. This is one of the first. Apologies for the fairly lengthy quotation: Another kind of...

From Merriam Webster's: AIN'T Etymology: contraction of are not 1 : am not : are not : is not 2 : have not : has not 3 : do not : does not : did not -- used in some varieties of Black English Usage: Although widely disapproved as nonstandard and more common in the habitual speech of the less...

Hello In your second to last paragraph, you say, "With my graduation from high school approaching all the more rapidly." In my opinion, this particular line should be reworded. The rate of when a person graduates does not accelerate. I know what you are trying to say, but it can be said in a...