Search results for 'tag:Articles tag:Prepositions' matching tags 'Articles' and 'Prepositions'

Re: Q74. Adverb phrase/adverb clause vs Prepositional phrase

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:26:21 GMT

By most standards, it is prepositional phrase from the viewpoint of structure, because it is preceded by a preposition, not an adverb. From the viewpoint of function, the phrase has an adverbial function becuase it relates to the verb 'saw'. In other contexts, 'on' can be used as an adverbial particle, serving a verb, as in 'move on, please', but this is not the case.

Re: a button or the button

Clive — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:01:57 GMT

Hi,
Let us say that one was trying to buy a missing botton to his shirt at a button shop and he bought it. Can I say this?

I bought a button to for a shirt. 'For' is the standard preposition here.
~~I bought the button to a shirt.~~There is no reason to use the specific article 'the', unless perhaps the shirt only uses one button, which is unlikely, or unless you have already mentioned that you need a button.

The thing that confuses me is that in some contexts, I see the phrase "a something to (or of) a something" and in some contexts I see the phrase "the something to a something" when pointing to a definite object that belongs to something else.

Various prepositions can be used, depending on the context and focus. Prepositions are hard to learn and hard to explain, but here are a few comments on how I see them.

I bought a key for the door. Focuses on the idea that the key will be suitable for the door.
I bought a key to the door. Focuses on the idea that the key will give access to a place, via the door.
Here is the key of the door. Focuses on the idea that the key belongs to the door.

I'd say the most commonly heard is 'for'.
When you say 'a button for a shirt', you mean 'a button that is suitable for a shirt'.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: Flash On ....

CalifJim — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:09:44 GMT

Preposition:

I just flashed on (had a sudden mental image of) my first day at the college.

Adverb (phrasal verb particle):

I just flashed on (turned on a slide projector that showed) my first day at the college.

_______

Statistically, the second meaning is much less likely, in my opinion. It depends on context.

Sentence combining using dependent(relative) clause

Raen — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:14:09 GMT

Here is a practice:

Q: A minute passed in complete silence. Terri announced her wedding plans then.

I wrote: A minute passed in complete silence when Terri announced her wedding plans.

A: A minute when Terri announced her wedding plans passed in complete silence.

Grammar rules say: The adjective clause is used to modify a noun or a pronoun. It will begin with a relative pronoun (who, whose, whom, which, and that) or a subordinate conjunction (when and where). Those are the only words that can be used to introduce an adjective clause. The introductory word will always rename the word that it follows and modifies except when used with a preposition which will come between the introductory word and the word it renames.

It seems to me the official answer is a strict product of the rules and does not sound natural to me. If "when Terri announced her wedding plans" is to highlight/modify "minute" (as the grammar rule indicates), shouldn't the article "A" be a definite "The" specifying the time in a period of ONE MINUTE when the wedding plans were announced?

I just thought the length of time (a minute) was more of a figurative speech when the silence occured as a result of Terri's announcing her wedding plans not the precise minute that it took to announce her wedding plans. Any thoughts? Thanks a lot.

Raen

Sentence Analysis

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:49:24 GMT

I have to analyse the following sentence, but I'm really stuck...

"Amanda's practical solutions of what had seemed an insoluble mystery descended on the family like a balm."

I have to cut this sentence into constituents and cut those up in nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, pronouns, prepositions etc.
For now I have this:
'Amanda's practical solutions of what had seemed an insoluble mystery' = the subject of the whole sentence and is a Noun Phrase
'descended' = the main verb of the sentence,
'on the family' = a Prepositional Phrase
'like a balm' = a Prepositional Phrase

The two prepositional phrases don't give me any trouble (both start with a preposition, than have a determiner article and end in a noun).

The Noun Phrase is what gives me trouble...

'Amanda's practical solutions of what had seemed an insoluble mystery' has two constituents, I'd say...
'Amanda's practical solutions' = Noun Phrase
'of what had seemed an insoluble mystery' = ???
I really can't get beyond this point... How should I analyse this?

I really hope someone can help me with this sentence...

at/in Englishforums.com

Liveinjapan — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:36:37 GMT

If you had to write a title for an article about Liveinjapan's activity in/at Englishforums.com, which preposition is appropriate, in or at?

Liveinjapan at/in Englishforums.com

Thanks

Re: Grammar point, please help clarify this

Raen — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:12:17 GMT

Thanks Huevos for you enlightment. But could we, just for the sake of arguement, allow me to examine the merit of this grammar point:

It says: There are 7 words that are "always" adjectives: articles "a", "an" and "the" and possessive pronouns "my", "your", "our" and "their".

1. As far as I know, all 3 articles are "always" followed by a noun and/or adjective+noun. Why are they labeled as "adjectives" when coming before a noun or adjective+noun? Why not just call them adjectives to begin with? and why can't they stand as their original identity which is "articles". An example in the practice that asks us to identify the part of speech for each word:

Q: Both the big girl and a small boy were happy with the results.

A: Both - conjunction, the - adjective, big - adjective, girl - noun, and - conjunction, a - adjective, small - adjective, boy - noun, were - verb, happy - adjective, with - preposition, the - adjective, results - noun.

Both "the" were identified as adjective. Why can't they just be "article"? What is the big idea for them to be labeled as "adjective"?

2. "my, your, our, their" are always adjective. A layman would say why not the other possessive pronouns: "her, his, her, its...". What's so special abut the first 4?

Anyway, I know it's not good to over think. But this is just one of the grammar points I find hard to comprehend. Thanks to everyone for their imput, and thanks for the good-will wish on my test, I sure hope I'll pass.

Regards

Raen

Re: Parse this sentence please.

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:59:46 GMT

this is what I have so far, but I'm not sure where to go from here.

Normal 0 A (article) twitch (noun) at (preposition) the (article) controls (noun) could (verb) swerve (verb) the (article) catâ (noun), but (conjunction) the (article) driverâs (noun) hands (noun) could (verb) not (adverb) twitch (verb) because (conunction) the (article) monster (noun) that built (verb) the (article) tractor (noun), the (article) monster (noun) that sent (verb) the (article) tractor (noun) out (preposition), had somehow (adverb) got (verb) into (preposition) the (article) driverâs (noun) hands (noun), into (preposition) his (possessive pronoun) brain (noun) and (conjunction) muscle (noun), had goggled (verb) him (pronoun) and (conjunction) muzzled (verb) him (pronoun) âgoggled (verb) his (possessive pronoun) mind (noun), muzzled (verb) his (possessive pronoun) speech(noun), goggled (verb) his (possessive pronoun) perception (noun), muzzled (verb) his (possessive pronoun) protest (noun).

Re: trying to improve

Avangi — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:34:51 GMT

Anonymous
I am just trying to improve my english and dont have any mentor, Can someone please let me know if what i understand or do is right or wrong?

I have some sentences below and i just wanted to know if they are correct - Take care to capitalize the pronoun "I." All sentences need punctuation at the end, eg., a period.

I was abashed by the email sent by my manager   This is correct, but the word is uncommon in everyday speech. "Unabashed" is much more common. Google hits: "abashed" - 653,000   /   "unabashed" - 2,090,000

The aboriginal soundtrack was better than the remix Use "original." "aboriginal" is a very special word, meaning "native," as in the native population of a region. I've never heard it used in everyday speech, other than to refer to the native inhabitants of Australia. I think it may also refer to flora, but I'm not sure. How far back one goes, I have no idea, but I've only heard it used in referring to existing populations.

The class was abridged due to lack of time   Correct, but very uncommon. I'd use "cut short." "Abridged" is commonly used to describe shortened versions of books. Also, "due to" is ungrammatical. Use "because of." The difference is technical. Check Google, "because of vs. due to." If you don't get it, post back. ( "The shortness of the class was due to the lack of time," is correct.)

I abstained myself from participating in the cultural events   You must delete "myself." The verb "to abstain" is intransitive only. (There's no transitive usage.) It does not take an object, even reflexive. You may say "I recused myself," but that has a special meaning. You may say "I withdrew myself from the event," but then you can't use "participating." ("To withdraw" may be either transitive or intransitive.)

I abstained myself from bungee jumping since I am scared of heights  Same objection!

I recieved an acrimonious email from my manager. okay!

The client attacked acrimoniously to the lawyer after he lost the case The verb "to attack" does not take the preposition "to." In this case, the adverb should come either before the verb or after the object   -   I'm not sure why. "The client acrimoniously attacked the lawyer," or "The client attacked the lawyer acrimoniously."

Acids usually have an acrid odor okay!

The washroom had a acrid odor   okay!

Beacuse I understand technology very well I can make acute decisions based on my knowhow This is correct, "acute" meaning "sharp" decisions, but it's uncommon. "Accurate decisions" would be common. "I have an acute pain   -   acute angina" is common. "An acute angle" (less than ninety degrees   -    geometry) is common.   ~~Beacuse~~   Because

Engineers are adept at learning new theories. Okay, but I guess we don't know the same engineers.

Employees should Adhere to the companies policies No cap on "adhere."   Possessive "company's."

The office was adorned on christmas eve  Capitalize "Christmas."

Childrens seek adulation from parents No "s" on "children"

Affable people are good to be friends with okay

She is aloof okay

india is an agrarian country Capitalize "India."

I have a altruistic nature Use "an" form of article before a vowel. (an apple)

The policy of my company was amended after march Capitalize "March."

I was allured by her beauty okay

Mumbai has ample food to feed the people okay, but "its/her people" might be better.

My debts were annulled with my last salary Use "wiped out!" "Our marriage was annulled by the Church/court." -   something done by an official body.

A diamond ring would help me appease my wife  okay

I was apprised by my manager regarding the appraisal i recd (I received.)

I had an arduous project last month okay, but we don't usually use "had" with "project." "I had/performed an arduous task"   /   "I took on an arduous project."

When you get to the "B's," don't put them all in one post, or you'll crash the site! - A.

Re: gerund or verbal noun with an article?

Crokey — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:30:03 GMT

hi cb, its me again!
how do you feel about possessives before a gerund? "John's singing bothered me". You are constantly told that the possessive should be used before a gerund(unless you are saying something weird and you wish to emphasise the subject of the gerund). However, "John's loud singing bothered me", well "loud" is an adjectival attribute modifying singing, and you will never get an adverb to fit in there. "the correct speaking of the english language is important", "correctly speaking english is important". So, is it fair to say that if you can modify the -ing form with an adjecitval attribute, then it is a verbal noun and not a gerund? "john's singing the national anthem bothered me" "john's loud singing OF the national anthem bothered me", I could hardly have changed the nature of the word "singing" from a gerund in the first instance, to a verbal noun in the second, merely by adding an adjective. Furthermore, if in the first case, "singing" is indeed a verbal noun, should it written as "john's singing of the national anthem" , otherwise, without the preposition "of", singing would be taking the object "the national anthem".

have a nice day!