In Expressions^x, Clauses^x, Conversations^x

If you Google "How long were you learning" you'll find almost nothing. The verb learning doesn't work particularly well here, the more idiomatic expression being How long did it take you to learn ... Nevertheless, I found an example that illustrates the contrast between the...

Hi Jackson, I notice that many posters use expressions like "she has some leaves." I'm not sure if this is British, or if it comes from translation. In the US, "leave" used to be common in the military, and we use it for special purpose time off, like...

I know 'would' carries many meanings. My problem is sometimes I find it difficult to tell which meaning the speaker uses. I think I understand its hypothetical usage, and in some contexts, its politeness usage. Below is a post that has several woulds I have trouble interpreting. I also...

SHALL AND WILL IT is unfortunate that the idiomatic use, while it comes by nature to southern Englishmen (who will find most of this section superfluous), is so complicated that those who are not to the manner born can hardly acquire it; and for them the section is in danger of...

Sorry, Anon-- we ended up having a lengthy email discussion about this. My opinion is that, according to the rules, commas go inside. Therefore, the comma is innermost: Although Maria said, "I heard Bob said, 'I don't like him,' " I wasn't sure if I should believe her. This kind...

Hello Roro Excellent writing! I believe you are an advanced English learner, at least a learner much more advanced than me. Anyway, what I feel about the problem you have now is that it rather come from your misunderstanding the tense relation in a sentence using the time connective word ....

I've tried to find my way through the maze of our past conversation here, Hela, and I see that I have made at least one obvious mistake, and that you were correct in part of your original assumption. I have reviewed my understanding of the Subjunctive Mood, and this sentence-- 'If I caught you, I...