Search results for 'tag:Negatives tag:English grammar' matching tags 'Negatives' and 'English grammar'

Re: ..why do I have vs ..why I have

EagerSeeker — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:43:25 GMT

Tanit

Hi,

As Goodman says, only the first one is correct,
From your post and your examples, I understand you've got Swann's book, right?
So, may I suggest another approach to clear your doubt?
That's an indirect question.
If you've got the same edition as me (the 3rd), have a look at section 276, "Indirect speech: questions and answers":

In reported questions the subject normally comes before the verb in standard English, and auxiliary do is not used.
- DIRECT: Where's Alice?
- INDIRECT: I asked where Alice was. (NOT ... ~~where was Alice~~.)
...
- DIRECT: What do I need?
- INDIRECT: She asked what she needed. (NOT ... ~~what did she need~~.)
...

If we try and use the same approach:

- DIRECT: Why do I have two cars?
- INDIRECT: You may wonder why I have two cars. (NOT ... ~~why do I have two cars~~.)

Yes, you are absolutely right! It is indeed indirect speech (I realized it later after reading more) and then we don't use auxiliary "do" in indirect questions.
But I found this to be a tricky one. Yes, I have Swan's book but he doesn't mention that we can use auxiliary do in indirect speech when the sentence
is negative.

I found this from my Finnish-English grammar book: "Auxiliary do is not used in indirect questions except in negative sentences".
Example: "Philip asked why children didn't read anymore."

So on the basis of what has been said so far I would find these examples correct:

"You may wonder why I have two cars."
"You may wonder why I don't have two cars." (negative sentence)
"You may wonder why I do have two cars." (emphatic sentence)

That emphasis is a nice suggestion from you guys!

Re: Differences between English and your native language

Kooyeen — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:38:51 GMT

Hi CB,
I wouldn't know where to start! English grammar is pretty different from Italian grammar. However, there are a lot of similar words (one example: government - governo), and several similar structures and idioms. The problem is that there are also several false friends, and lots of features that are very confusing because they wouldn't make sense in Italian.

One example is prepositions: on the net, on a pc, in a movie, in a dictionary, in a newspaper... in Italian you could use either "in" or "on" (nel, nella, etc / sul, sulla, etc.), and no one would notice (I hope so, lol). I always have to be careful to use the right prepositions in English, in Italian I pick one at random, lol.

Then there are tricky words like "any" and "some", which in Italian are both "del, delle, etc.", so you don't have to choose. The same is true of "few" and "little" (=un po'), and for "already" and "yet" (=giÃ )... and many other things I don't remember right now.

And there are a lot more tricky things, like negative questions (we use negative questions to sound "casual" and "polite", but in English they sound completely different), genderless pronouns (in Italian it's so simple, it just depends whether the noun is masculine or feminine, so death is a "she", and hate is a "he"), etc.

Anyway, don't think Italian is simple... it's really a mess. And there are a lot of regional differences, REALLY a lot. Just think that I hardly ever speak Italian, so I wouldn't say my Italian is very good at all.

Re: 'same-way' question tag

Teo — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:52:30 GMT

A: She wouldn't attend the weekly assembly.

B: Oh, she wouldn't, wouldn't she?

(Quoted from Treasury of English Grammar, by Liu Yi)

Oh, he isn't ready, isn't he? [rarely used]

(Quoted from English Q & A, by Prof. Wu Bingzhong)

So you don't like my cooking, don't you?

So you won't speak to me, won't you?

So he wouldn't come, wouldn't he?

(Quoted from Ho's Complete English Grammar, by Ho Limin)

Same-way question tags

Although the basic structure of tag questions is positive-negative or negative-positive, it is sometime possible to use a positive-positive or negative-negative structure. We use same-way question tags to express interest, surprise, anger etc, and not to make real questions.

So you're having a baby, are you? That's wonderful!
She wants to marry him, does she? Some chance!
So you think that's amusing, do you? Think again.

Negative-negative tag questions usually sound rather hostile:

So you don't like my looks, don't you?

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-questions-tag.htm

Re: again

Clive — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:39:26 GMT

Hi,

Thanks , but this doesn't answer my question. I asked you earlier today to clarify your question, and you didn't. It's not surprising that I didn't answer your question.

I asked you to provide a few examples, because they usually help us to see what your difficulty is. So, please expand your question by adding a few examples, eg Can I say this? Is this correct? This is the kind of sentence I am thinkiing about. For example, are you talking about all verbs, or just about the verb 'like'? Why just the verb 'like'?

I was meaning, like as a verb, I know. My doubt is in the negative part not in the verb as itself.

When to use not + like(verb) and when to use don't + like(verb)

Is the not part used just for infinitive? Do you mean examples such as 'I have learned not to like English grammar'?

and Is the don't part used just to conjugation? Yes, although some examples of what you are thinking about would be helpful.

Alernatively, perhaps someone else may offer you an answer which suits you better.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: Logic and negative sentences

Teleostomi — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:14:07 GMT

Hi, I enjoyed reading this thread, and learned a lot of new things about English grammar.

I'm now OK with partial negation, but are there any rules regarding what Kooyeen raised as a side discussion item?

Negation of "A, B, and C" ---> Should we take <not...A, B or C> or <not...A, B and C>

In other words, is there any difference between (1) and (2)?

(1) I don't like beef, pork and lamb.
(2) I don't like beef, pork or lamb.

An essay on Information Systems

Alexgn — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 03:07:26 GMT

Here's another essay with which I have been having some problems. Could someone please check English grammar in piece of writing?
Your help will be very much appriciated.

Value Chain Analysis

Many organisations do not achieve the profits they anticipate by using incorrect methods or models to determine the true costs of products and services. This failure to correctly assess the costs associated with business affects the profit margin and the organisationsâ competitive advantage. Michael Porter described a method which he called the Value Chain Analysis. The value chain analysis can be a very powerful tool in assessing if the organisation is not failing to realise optimum resource allocation, and in increasing organisationâs competitive advantage; by correctly pricing products and assessing the true costs of materials and labour, organisations can align the improvements in efficiency, quality, and profits with its strategic objectives.

According to Kippenberger (1997) Michael Porter suggests that organisationsâ activities can be grouped into two categories: primary activities and supportive activities. Primary activities â those that are directly concerned with creating and delivering the product. These are further grouped into five different areas: inbound and outbound logistics, operations, marketing and sales, and services. Supportive activities â those that are not directly involved in production but are used to support the primary activities. Supportive activities include firm infrastructure, human resource management, technology development and procurement.

Within the value chain, it is important for an organisation to correctly identify how each primary activities category relates to its organisation. The first category is inbound logistics. In a manufacturing environment inbound logistics would involve receiving and warehousing of raw materials and their distribution to manufacturing as they are required. It is important to note, however, that the value chain can be applied to service industries too. For example, in healthcare, the raw materials would be replaced with patients.
Let us assume that the organisation is going to develop a new technology for doctors. The organisation is going to develop a form of wireless PDA that is about the size of a clipboard. Instead of carrying a paper file into every patient appointment, the doctors will have this smart-pad that they can use to input patientsâ data. Throughout the day, the doctor connects the smart-pad to his office PC via USB cable and the information is transmitted into the patientsâ database. Inbound logistics would include identifying what materials will be needed as well as what software will be needed to support the new technology. Inbound logistics would need to determine what components will be outsourced, which will be built in-house, and what software will be needed to support the new technology.
Once all steps of inbound logistics have been completed, the next step in the value chain is operations. Operations involve the activities used in transforming the raw materials into the final product (Kippenberger, 1997). In the case of the new doctorâs technology, operations would involve those activities necessary to convert the raw materials into the finished products. Operations, in this case, would involve component assembly and software installation, as well as packaging.
Once inbound logistics and operations are complete, the next step is outbound logistics. Outbound logistics âinclude activities that store and distribute products to buyers (e.g. warehousing, delivery vehicle operations, order processing)â (Kippenberger, 1997). This may be an area where combining more than one methodology may be appropriate. For example, if products are completed and stored in warehouses until orders are received, this could have a negative effect on the organisationâs profit margins. But in analysing the value chain it may have been identified that switching to a just-in-time method of delivery may be more cost effective. The organisation could look at the outsourcing of components and the reliability of suppliers. If the tools and suppliers are able to meet the demands, then the organisation would be able to improve profits by not needing to store as many products. Outbound logistics would also involve distribution of the product to the customers.
Marketing and sales âare the activities that provide the means for the buyer to purchase (e.g. advertising, sales force operations, selection and management of distribution channels)â (Kippenberger, 1997). In the case of doctorâs technology, if the organisation is focusing on sales only to doctors, the organisation may be missing out on substantial profits. In evaluating the value chain the organisation may find that marketing and sales has not aggressively sought out contracts with large managed care organisations. If marketing and sales understands value chain analysis then it would need to be able to show these organisations how this product can improve their own value chains.
The final step in value chain analysis is service. Service can significantly impact on the profits and solvency of the organisation. In the doctorâs technology example, there would need to be technical support for the product and software, as well as possible upgrades and feature enhancements. Customer feedback surveys would be a useful tool in determining customer satisfaction, and in measuring product quality.

References

Kippenberger, T. (1997), The Value Chain: The Original Breakthrough, The Antidote, Vol 2, No5, pp7-10. Retrieved July 20, 2007
Porter, M.E. (2001), Strategy and the Internet, Harvard Business Review, March, pp62-78. Retrieved July 20, 2007
Robson, R., 1997, Strategic Management and Information Systems: am Integrated Approach, Prentice Hall, London.

or

point your web browser at http://picccs.mine.nu/pics/infs.pdf

Regards,

Alex

Re: Checking English grammar in a very small report

Alexgn — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:34:35 GMT

Grammar Geek, thanks!

Here's the copy of my report:

------------------------------------------------

The information contained in this report presents a picture of salary rate movement

for mid-level managerial and professional employees across various economic sectors

in Australia. The data available from a secondary source was collected through a survey of salaries.

The chart A shows the changes in salary rates over a 10-year period in five different economic sectors. During this period there has been an average increase per annum across all economic sectors:

i) in nominal salary index (A) by 1.1%

ii) in nominal salary index (B) by 2.9%

iii) in real salary index (A) by 1.6%

iv) in real salary index (B) by 3.4%

The highest rate of average annual salary increase in all four tables is for the sector of financial institutions and insurance. These are 2% in nominal salary index (A), 3.5% in nominal salary index (B), 2.5% in real salary index (A), and 4% in real salary index (B).

The lowest values in 1-four tables are -0.6% in nominal salary index (A), and -0.1% in real salary index (A) for building, construction and related trades sector. These two values are outliers.

The lowest rate of average annual salary increase, which does not include the outliers, is for the manufacturing, electricity and gas sector. These are 0.7% in nominal salary index (A), 2.2% in nominal salary index (B), 1.2% in real salary index (A), and 2.7% in real salary index (B).

The chart B shows the changes in salary rates over a 10-year period in seven different occupational groups. During this period there has been an average increase per annum across all occupational groups:

i) in nominal salary index (A) by 1.1%

ii) in nominal salary index (B) by 2.9%

iii) in real salary index (A) by 1.6%

iv) in real salary index (B) by 3.4%

The highest rate of average annual salary is for the occupational group of financial management. These are: 3.5% in nominal salary index (B) 3.8% in real salary index (B). However, there is very little increase in nominal salary index (A), and in real salary index (A). For the (A) indices, salary levels of new recruits and newly promoted employees are taken into account.

The second highest rate of average annual salary in all four tables is for the banking and insurance management. These are: 2% in nominal salary index (A), 3.2% in real salary index (A), 2.5% in nominal salary index (B) and 3.7% in real salary index (B).

The lowest values in tables 5-8 are: -1.3% in nominal salary index (A), and -0.8% in real salary index (A) for the production management occupation. These values are outliers.

The lowest rate of average annual salary, which does not include the outliers, is for the engineering, and other technical support personnel occupational group. These are 0.1% in nominal salary index (A), 2.5% in nominal salary index (B), 0.6% in real salary index (A), and 3% in real salary index (B).

Thereâs a clear trend in surveyâs data. Employees who remain in the same position for 2 years or longer have received a higher increase in salaries for the given period. Of these, the greatest increase was for the Banking and Insurance and Financial management groups in the financial institutions and insurance economic sector. The lowest increase was for the Production management and Engineering and other technical support personnel groups in Building constructions and related trades sector.

There are four clear outliers which present some interest to our analysis. There could have been outside events such as new government legislations or changes in countryâs economy. These factors could have an effect on the salary indices for this particular economic sector. The negative values could also be due to the nature of the occupations for a particular sector.

Chart A <skip>

In this report, we are analysing categorical data. The data collected â numerical values â are placed into five different economic sectors:

i) wholesale, retail and import/export trades

ii) transport, storage and communications

iii) manufacturing, electricity and gas

iv) financial institutions and insurance

v) building constructions and related trades

To analyse the movement of salary rates a suitable graphical chart must be considered. This graphical chart will serve two purposes:

i) to reveal most elements of the data

ii) to help the readers to study and understand the movement of salary rates.

For each category, there are four tables of values:

i) Nominal salary index (A). Table 1 on the chart.

ii) Nominal salary index (B). Table 2 on the chart.

iii) Real salary index (A). Table 3 on the chart.

iv) Real salary index (B). Table 4 on the chart.

The description of above mentioned indices are provided in the original source of information.

We have biviriate categorical data; a side-by-side bar chart is the most suitable graphical representation of these data. The vertical axis shows five different categories, each bar in each category represents one of four tables of values of salary indices. The horizontal axis shows average annual increase in salary indices for each category for the period of 1997-2006. In addition, a separate category is provided to indicate the average increase for all categories.

Chart B <skip>

In this report, we are analysing categorical data contained in four tables. The data collected â numerical values â are placed into seven different occupational groups:

i) General management

ii) Financial management

iii) Production management

iv) Engineering and other technical support personnel

v) Banking and insurance management

vi) Marketing and purchasing management

vii) Management, others

To analyse the movement of salary rates a suitable graphical chart must be considered. This graphical chart will serve two purposes:

i) to reveal most elements of the data

ii) to help the readers to study and understand the movement of salary rates.

For each category, there are four tables of values:

i) Nominal salary index (A). Table 1 on the chart.

ii) Nominal salary index (B). Table 2 on the chart.

iii) Real salary index (A). Table 3 on the chart.

iv) Real salary index (B). Table 4 on the chart.

The description of above mentioned indices are provided in the original source of information.

We have biviriate categorical data; a side-by-side bar chart is the most suitable graphical chart to represent these data. The vertical axis shows seven different categories, each bar in each category represents one of four tables of values of salary indices. The horizontal axis shows average annual increase in salary indices for each category for the period of 1997-2006. In addition, a separate category is provided to indicate the average increase for all categories.

Re: Checking English grammar in a very small report

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:46:22 GMT

Grammar Geek, thanks!

Often, I miss the articles. This is the weakest part in my English grammar.

Here's the copy of this report.

The information contained in this report presents a picture of salary rate movement

for mid-level managerial and professional employees across various economic sectors

in Australia. The data available from a secondary source was collected through a survey of salaries.

The chart A shows the changes in salary rates over a 10-year period in five different economic sectors. During this period there has been an average increase per annum across all economic sectors:

i) in nominal salary index (A) by 1.1%

ii) in nominal salary index (B) by 2.9%

iii) in real salary index (A) by 1.6%

iv) in real salary index (B) by 3.4%

The lowest values in 1-four tables are -0.6% in nominal salary index (A), and -0.1% in real salary index (A) for building, construction and related trades sector. These two values are outliers.

i) in nominal salary index (A) by 1.1%

ii) in nominal salary index (B) by 2.9%

iii) in real salary index (A) by 1.6%

iv) in real salary index (B) by 3.4%

The lowest values in tables 5-8 are: -1.3% in nominal salary index (A), and -0.8% in real salary index (A) for the production management occupation. These values are outliers.

Chart A <skipped>

In this report, we are analysing categorical data. The data collected â numerical values â are placed into five different economic sectors:

i) wholesale, retail and import/export trades

ii) transport, storage and communications

iii) manufacturing, electricity and gas

iv) financial institutions and insurance

v) building constructions and related trades

To analyse the movement of salary rates a suitable graphical chart must be considered. This graphical chart will serve two purposes:

i) to reveal most elements of the data

ii) to help the readers to study and understand the movement of salary rates.

For each category, there are four tables of values:

i) Nominal salary index (A). Table 1 on the chart.

ii) Nominal salary index (B). Table 2 on the chart.

iii) Real salary index (A). Table 3 on the chart.

iv) Real salary index (B). Table 4 on the chart.

The description of above mentioned indices are provided in the original source of information.

Chart B <skipped>

In this report, we are analysing categorical data contained in four tables. The data collected â numerical values â are placed into seven different occupational groups:

i) General management

ii) Financial management

iii) Production management

iv) Engineering and other technical support personnel

v) Banking and insurance management

vi) Marketing and purchasing management

vii) Management, others

To analyse the movement of salary rates a suitable graphical chart must be considered. This graphical chart will serve two purposes:

i) to reveal most elements of the data

ii) to help the readers to study and understand the movement of salary rates.

For each category, there are four tables of values:

i) Nominal salary index (A). Table 1 on the chart.

ii) Nominal salary index (B). Table 2 on the chart.

iii) Real salary index (A). Table 3 on the chart.

iv) Real salary index (B). Table 4 on the chart.

The description of above mentioned indices are provided in the original source of information.

Re: complete imperative of the verb "to go"

Dominik — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 12:44:52 GMT

A Practical English Grammar (Oxford):

The second person imperative
Hurry! Wait!
Don't hurry!
Be quiet, Tom.
do can be placed before the affirmative imperative:
Do hurry. Do be quiet.
This do could be persuasive, but could also express irritation.

The first person imperative
Form
let us (let's) + bare infinitive:
Let us stand together in this emergency.
Let us not be alarmed by rumours
It is possible in colloquial English to put don't before let's:
Don't let's be alarmed by rumors.
By let us (let's) the speaker can urge his hearers to act in a certain way, or express a decision which they are expected to accept, or express a suggestion.

Thethird person imperative
Form
let him/her/it/them + bare infinitive:
Let them go by train
This is not a very common construction in modern English. It would be more usual to say:
They are to go/must go by train.
The negative imperative, let him/her/them + negative infinitive, is not used in modern English.
Instead, we would use must not or is/are not to:
They must not/are not to go by air.

Re: tag question

Cool Breeze — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 22:47:05 GMT

Anonymous wrote:
I'm not satisfied at all. It's all a mess up here.Who is saying what? Who makes the final approval?

English grammar often is a mess. There's not much anyone can do about it. It is true that this negative-positive and positive-negative formula isn't always adhered to. Agatha Christie is a good example of that. However, the formula is a good start even though you may want to deviate from it as your command of English improves.

Cheers
CB