By Countable nouns, Tenses

Re: tense possibility with differring context

Hi, 1. Are these all possible depend on what you want to say? With their tensical implications? Yes, all possible. Jake hit him first, with a long soft sponge he 1) was/2) had used/3) had been using to wash dishes. 2. Sorry, when we use the phrase 'a piece of', can we use that with a...

tense possibility with differring context

Hi, I have two questons. 1. Are these all possible depend on what you want to say? With their tensical implications? Jake hit him first, with a long soft sponge he 1) was/2) had used/3) had been using to wash dishes. To me, no. 2 and 3 set the events one before the other and no. 3 adding the...

Re: have a superpower

HI Mister MicawberWhy don't we use "a"??I think we can use "a" in this sentense because superpower is countable noun.

Mistakes made by Chinese Learners

Hi everyoneI just wondered if anyone could help - I have to write a profile of a chinese learner of English (completely made up). In it I must put any difficulties that the learner has in learning English as an L2. I have got so far:Intonation transfer from L1 may cause them to be perceived as...

Re: tense-hadn't

Newguest wrote:HIHI ! IS IT REALLY A BIG MISTAKE TO PUT A COMMA AFTER "ALI?" It is a little mistake. WHY CAN'T WE SAY "A BAD LUCK" The word 'luck' is uncountable. You cannot use 'a' with an uncountable noun. You can say something such as 'a bit of bad luck' or 'some bad luck', however. I...

shared or discrete

Hi, Sometimes I see phrasal cases where adjectives in front of a noun seem to warrant it to be plural but ends up being the case of shared adjectives. Is this one? Can you help me to clearly distinguish similar situations? both singular and plural tense -- When should 'tense' be 'tenses'? ...

Re: lots of tought (to me) questions...will there be a good soul ;) ?

1. Here is a sentence from the key "But I hope you know what you're doing" I'm wondering... Can we say "I'm hoping" or rather not? and is it totally incorrect or in other contexts it would be ok? Grammatically it's okay, but "I hope" sounds more natural to me at the moment. 2. Just tell me if I'm...

lots of tought (to me) questions...will there be a good soul ;) ?

Hi folks! I know that I have A LOT OF questions... but I hope someone can at least take a look at them... let's start. I've got some dobuts about the following : (all examples come from Michael Vince's 'Advanced Language Practice') 1. Here is a sentence from the key "But I hope you know...

Re: Cheers, what else?

Since I write to my friend almost every day I thought that I could write "I use to write" while "I used" means that I don't write mails anymore ....not quite sure if it is correct though " src="/emoticons/emotion-4.gif"> I used to write refers to what you wrote in the past. I use to write is...

Is this optional?

1. Would you say in the following situations where the preposition "at" is placed after the phrases "any time" and "any place," at is optional? Can opt out (at) any time Can meet him (at) any place Do you have some good tips as to help me see things easily? 2. Are the following some kind of...