There are moments reading what people say about English grammar where I wonder if I speak the same language as is described in the grammar books, and if there is some sort of secret conspiracy to foist on learners a rule which doesn't apply in

Hi Alienvoord Your analysis is correct. Many a grammar expert will put on airs and insist that only were is correct for unreal condition despite the fact that was is also universally used. In lofty style were is used at least in BrE even in

Hi Yankee I have the same question regarding the right structure for this verb. I have also read the same as Kooyen in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, you can check it out here:http://www.oup.com/oald-bin/web_getald7index1a.pl. They

Hi CJ: I agree with you that the participial phrase modifies the verb, not the subject. I was making a (lame) attempt to fit it the analysis wto agree with the various reference sites on English Grammar that instruct that present participles (and

I don't even know the "traditional" term for the structure we're discussing here (with making ... ) except that it involves a present participle. CJ: In the "classical" grammar I learned soon after the emergence of

I only know the basics of English grammar, and someone just asked me a question that completely stumped me. "These days, more and more people have mobile phones, and most young people seem to have one ." Why is it acceptable for the

Huevos, So am I correct to assume that your classification of “exhausted” is adjectival in nature? Perhaps, this is the difference between how you and I see it. For pure fact finding interest, I have done some more investigative research: Bear in

OK, but is there an argument that demonstrates " in " is somehow connected to " ways ". Your comments help me understand why some native speakers consider English grammar difficult. What else could in be connected to in the

Dear MM, I sincerely appreciate your great explanation (The answer probably can't be found elsewhere. Not to mention the Grammar books). Some online dictionaries stated that the inflected forms of both the adjective and adverb of

I would not profess to be an expert in English grammar but "people whose minds are not oriented for correct English" sounds not only pompous but incorrect !  The verb "orient" is more commonly used with the prepositions