In Gerunds^x, Regards^x, Clauses^x

Grammar is a descriptive process. Linguists look at a language and describe how it works. However some Linguists describe things differently to others. The end result is usually the same, but the way they organise it, and what all the parts are call varies. eg some Linguists say pronouns are a...

<< By my understanding of what CalifJim said, "me" itself can not be a subject. Yes. That's right. But the constructure construction "me asking" as a whole can be a subject Yes , where "asking" modifies "me" No, it's not a matterof modifying. "me asking" as a whole can be a subject...

Dear Friends, I have couple of questions (which has been nagging me for a long time) about 'As much...As' comparative clause. What all (noun (uncountable/countable), adjectives (gradable/non-gradable), infinitive, gerund) we can use in 'As much....as' clause? 'As much <noun...

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...

Clive wrote: The bottom line, of course, is that any of these systems is OK as long as it provides a tool that someone finds useful in learning to speak good English. Would you call this a relative clause? I don't know where the pen is . What would you say it relates to? When I asked this,...

User_gary wrote: Since present participle is adjective, I think it modifies the noun (girl). Am I right? There are different ways to look at this. I regard carrying as a present participle used as a relative clause equivalent in your sentence. In other words, it could read: I saw a girl...

Swagatalakshmi wrote: OK - consulted couple of grammar books. "Participles" (verb+-ing or verb in past participle form) ALWAYS modify nouns. If you see a verb +-ing used as a stand-alone phrase (noun) which is not modifying anything, it must be a gerund. There is nothing called "adverbial...

Thank you very much, CJ, for your answers! Some more questions if you wouldn't mind: 1) Do May / Might NOT (like CANNOT) express an interdiction = must not ? ex: ? 2) Mrs James is in hospital and HASN’T BEEN ALLOWED TO have (and NOT “could have”) a cigarette after her meals....

Mirapence, your help is just priceless!!! I'm really sorry for having given you so much labour; I defiinitely overdid. I am, however, very thankful for your explanation. After this "injection of knowledge" you gave me, I decided go on phrases and hope to get through them with your help. I...