Search results for 'tag:British English tag:Grammar' matching tags 'British English' and 'Grammar'

Re: For those ESL teachers...

seme — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:44:10 GMT

Well there's a big problem here ... which grammar rules? :D :D :D

There is no strict code in English of RULES, three textbooks can give three completely different "rules" for the same point of grammar, the "rules" taught in beginner levels often have to be unlearned later on (for example every single one of my Korean students has been taught that a gerund follows a preposition. There's no such rule in English, it's total nonsense ... plus it means they all come into class saying things like "I came here for studying English" which drives me nuts), then there are major differences between what is grammatically correct and what is common in spoken English, not to mention a few minor grammatical differences between British English and American English. It's absolutely impossible for any English teacher to know them all :)

Non-native speaking teachers tend to hold on to whatever rules they were taught when they learned English, while natives tend to play it more by ear. Most of us, through experience, know the important rules and then we just go by how it sounds. If a student asks me a question I usually ask for an example sentence to make it less about the "rule" and more about how to say what he or she wants to say correctly.

But there are also major disagreements about grammar among English teachers. Here's a good example:

The mountains that are covered in snow are safe to ski on.

The mountains, which are covered in snow, are safe to ski on.

When I was in school I was taught that 'that' and 'which' had different functions and different meanings. I like this "rule" because it's simple and functional. However at the last English school I taught at the Head Teacher disagreed and believed that 'that' and 'which' had the same meaning and that the commas were what changed the meaning of the sentence. We had a HUGE fight about this with both of us bring in multiple reference books that supported our opinion :)

Re: to stoop

Huevos — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:23:00 GMT

Grammar Geek
A "stoop" is a momentary action, for a specific purpose (usually, to pick something up off the floor).

You don't oftent think about your abilty to stoop, but you might think about your ability to bend. Yes, they are the same thing, but a stoop is a quick action, while bending is simply a body function.

I've never heard "stoop" used like that in British English. To me "stoop" is what a tall person does to get through a low arch. The knees bend, The back curves and the head is often tipped to the side. It has nothing to do with bending down to pick something up. It is also used to describe the way a tall person would sit at a desk that is too small for them.

Re: Sentences of Unreal Condition

Cool Breeze — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:23:42 GMT

Vecta
"I would kill myself today if I didn't believe that tyranny and injustice must end."

Is the last sentence correct too?

Yes. Your grammar book must be very old. Some elderly British people may still use should instead of would in sentences like yours, but would is very common even in British English. Some young Americans might consider your sentence wrong!

Should is used in a number of ways but the most common use is this: If you want to catch your train, you should leave now. (= It would be a good idea for you to leave now.)

Re: Little / small

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:15:43 GMT

Small and little are both adjectives. We use small to talk about the size of something.
Your cat is very small.
Can I have two small pizzas please?

We can use little to refer to size, but we usually use it with another adjective to express an emotion.
You're a silly little boy.
Nobody's looking after that poor little dog.

In comparative and superlative form, small is more common in British English, and little is more common in American English.
That's the smallest phone I've ever seen. (British English)
That's the littlest phone I've ever seen. (American English)

from
http://www.eslbase.com/grammar/small-little

A dictionary

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:34:17 GMT

ãThis dictionary tells you about English words and how to use them in reading, writing and speaking English. It not only gives the meaning of words, it can also help you with spelling, word building, grammar and pronunciation.

ããTo use your dictionary correctly, you need to understand how the dictionary works. At the front of the book, you will find some exercises to help you make the most use of your dictionary.

ããIf you look up the word âcolourâ, you will find two spellings for this word. âColourâ is used in British English, while âcolorâ is used in American English. When such a thing happens, the dictionary shows it with the word âBrEâ for British English and âAmEâ for American English.

ããThe dictionay also helps you pronounce words correctly. It uses a special alphabet to show pronunciation. If you turn to the inside back face, you will see all the phonetic letters with some words to show you how they are pronounced. Just have a look this page when youâre not sure how to say a word.

ããThe most important reason for using a dictionary is to find out the meaning of a wordâits DEFINITION.

ããIn this dictionary, the definitions have been written using only 2000 words. This means that the definitions of even the most difficult words are simply explained and easy to understand.
ããWhen a word has more than one meaning, read all the meanings until you find the one that correctly tells the use of the word you are looking for

Re: british english alphabet pronounciation.

Zerox — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:48:50 GMT

You mean something like this? http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/sounds/

Re: devastation

Yoong Liat — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:01:35 GMT

Hi New2grammar

I've gone through the following Britsh English dictionaries and the definitions are as follows:

local [usually plural] someone who lives in a place where you are or the place that you are talking about: We asked one of the locals to recommend a restaurant. (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English)

local [usually plural] a person who lives in a particular place or district: The locals are very friendly. (Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

noun: locals The locals are the people living in a particular area. (Times-Chambers Essential English Dictionary)

noun: locals The locals are local people. (Collins Cobuild Dictionary for Advanced Learners)

I will leave you to decide whether, according to British English, 'a local' is fine.

Re: should/would

Yoong Liat — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:28:00 GMT

New2grammar
OK. Thanks Yoong Liat. By the way, I think Americans tend to think of a street as a surface (area) while British think of it as a 3 dimensional object (volume), including the air above the street, which is why 'in' is more common in British English. Just a thought.

I don't think there is any reason why 'in' is usually used in BrE, while 'on' is used in AmE.

I think the more you analyse, the more you become confused. Just remember that it is collocation.

Re: should/would

Yoong Liat — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:42:42 GMT

New2grammar
Thanks, Optilang. It's quite difficult to understand. I think American usage of preposition in these contexts is simpler. I think I have quite a good idea now.

I agree with you. The American versions are more logical and so easier to remember. However, it's advisable to know the differences in usage between American and British English. If you persevere, as I have done and am doing, you'll find that you have a better command of English.

Best wishes.

Re: "...as from January 11"

Peaceblinkfriend — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:02:41 GMT

So American English is 'as of' whilst British English is 'as from'. A quick search on the internet gives that people tend to use 'as of' in Australia.

Grammar Geek

No wonder the ESL learners go nuts.

You got that right.

PBF