By Clauses, Dynamic verbs

The list isn't meant to be exhaustive or carefully arranged. Any additions, corrections or further examples would be welcomed. 1 main verbs; lexical verbs (all verbs which are not auxiliaries or modals) 2 action verbs; event verbs; dynamic verbs (a verb which can be used in...

Alienvoord wrote: CalifJim wrote:If Hamlet were really written by Marlowe, as many have argued, then we have underestimated Marlowe’s genius.It seems to me that either "was" or "were" is ok in that sentence. It is a hypothetical statement. I wonder whether the slight stative element in "to be...

Hello DiamondYou are correct in that "while" in itself contains the sense of duration. Nevertheless, I believe, "while" can't be followed by a purely punctual dynamic verb. For example, "While I hit the car, I was staring at a pretty girl" sounds weird to me. In the case of a when-clause, the...

Until-clauses demand a state or a continuous act for the main clause. What is tricky in using "cannot" in the main clause is that "cannot" (=be unable to) can connote a state. I cannot play until I finish homework. =I can play when I finish homework.I can play unless I have homework.=I can play...

Hello AnonI too am a learner and so I don't think I'm qualified to answer your questions. But if you don't mind, please allow me to put some tips about your questions." Tom eats a hamburger." I'm sorry but I have to say this sentence make no sense as an English sentence. We cannot use a simple...

Neither of your natural-sounding examples has an indefinite article followed by a time unit followed by "before" within an "if" clause. It seems to me that one or more of these factors must be contributing to the difference we sense. "I think we have met before" has no article and time unit, so...