Search results for 'tag:Nouns' matching tag 'Nouns'

Re: "it sounds like fun." or "it sounds like a fun."

avangi — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:14:09 GMT

"Fun" is uncountable stuff. I've never heard of "a fun." You may use "fun" as an adjective, as well as a noun: "It sounds like a fun thing to do" ("Thing" is a countable noun.) You could also say, "That sounds like some fun - lots of fun." It may be quantified, but not counted. (You can't have three funs.)

Re: None / nobody

gleb_chebrikoff — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:25:40 GMT

Hello, Alex, when talking about two people or things, use neither . For three or more, use none. Using nobody and, additionally, no one is also possible. None of + uncountable noun - singular: None of the money has been spent on repairs. None + plural countable nouns - usage is divided: None of the books has/have been placed on the shelves. (Prescriptive grammarians insist on has (singular) , but have (plural) tends to be more frequently used nowadays) Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

Re: Collecive noun

debpriya de — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:06:38 GMT

I don't have the context , but "The Audited Financial Statements are available." seems more natural.

Re: A couple (of) years

ivanhr — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:16:36 GMT

Doesn't 'a couple (of) require a plural noun to follow??? Hi, quoted from Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com): a couple informal 1 : two or a few of something Note: In informal U.S. English, a couple can be used like a couple of before a plural noun. Ex: I lost interest in the book after a couple chapters.

Re: A couple (of) years

kooyeen — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:06:30 GMT

Hi, quoted from Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com): a couple informal 1 : two or a few of something Note: In informal U.S. English, a couple can be used like a couple of before a plural noun. Ex: I lost interest in the book after a couple chapters. So as MrPernikety said, both are ok, and "of" can be left out in informal American English (and maybe in British English too, but I'm not sure).

Re: The word replete

ivanhr — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:27:00 GMT

No, not normally. But I've seen the word used in a post noun position. Example By the doo doo room with the reek replete. (from a Frank Zappa's song) When the word is used in this way it is similar to the adjective galore. I think you wouldn't use it like this in formal speech.

Re: Convert into passive voice

meowth — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:41:01 GMT

The initial sentence itself is not quite correct. Children is already plural which means that no -s is needed -s isn't needed in the verb as well since the subject is in the plural i.e. Children make mistakes in (an article?) dark place. Did you mean that? Or maybe this "make" is a noun? Do you want it to be converted into passive voice? Then it will be "Mistakes are made by children in (an article) dark place" Have I answered your question?

Re: Give / offer

janeleo — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:37:03 GMT

hi, I just googled and found some instances of these two words usages. They are mostly used in these interview cases. 1. After the Job Interview Offer(it's the noun here) : What Next? 2.How to give good interview(means how to present a good interview yourself)

Re: Writing

califjim — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:17:49 GMT

when following a noun ??? This means putting a after the noun: instructor a . You can't really mean this. I'm sure you mean when preceding a noun . Whether speaking or writing, ... Use an before a vowel sound: an instructor. Otherwise use a : a teacher. and is always and . CJ

Re: Infinitive without 'to'

dimsumexpress — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:50:55 GMT

I saw the plane crash = I saw the entire incident. "Crash" is a noun I saw the plane . the bracketed is a particple phrase modifying "the plane", "Crashing" is a present particple depicting the prccess. It's also possible: I saw in my dream the plane crashed into the building. I saw the plane crashed - is not correct in my opinion. Bare infinitve is used very often in our everyday life. I see him walk the dog every evening. Routine events that happen repeatedly I just saw him when I pulled in the driveway. "walking" is a present participle depicting what he was doing at the time. Hope that answered all your bare infinitve questions.

Re: I cannot make out what this sentence means

avangi — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:03:31 GMT

Hi, Ivanhr, The noun "diversity," is like the noun "variety." We don't say "variety between," to the best of my knowledge. Perhaps a word like "contrast" would work with both prepositions: contrast among; contrast between. I guess "difference" also works that way.

Re: As well as

mister micawber — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:44:48 GMT

In certain short clauses, commas are probably not necessary (as in Dimsum's last sentence), but certainly where it appears e.g. in a subject noun phrase, it is appositive (not 'parenthetical'), as the verb number is governed by the subject itself: Janet , as well as the other Jacksons, is sadly bereft of a brother.

Re: Mostly on making them possessive or not?

califjim — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:05:25 GMT

1. The shirt he wore in this year's high school reunion was smaller than the one he wore at last year's. (But better: than the one he wore last year.) 2. The year-end sales figure for our company was higher than last year's. OK. 3. Last year's year-end sales figure was higher than the figure (that?) for the year before. previous year's. 4. His eagerness to win at this year's final at the state competition was more noticeable than his eagerness at last year's. (But better: than it was last year.) You had a bit of a problem in the first and last sentences. this year's contrasts with last year's , so when you don't spell out what noun follows last year's , it will be assumed that...

Re: Use of that as adverb

yankee — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:56:35 GMT

I remember the day that he came. We aren’t going for the simple reason that we can’t afford it. Why do you think "that" might be an adverb in those two sentences, Debpriya De? The word "that" is very often used as a relative pronoun, and that is what it is in your sentences. It refers back to a noun and introduces a relative clause. The word "that" refers to "day" in your first sentence, and to the word "reason" in your second sentence. Using "that" as an adverb is a very limited/specialized sort of usage. Look again at the examples I posted earlier. In my sentences, the word "that" modifies the adjective or adverb that comes after it and the meaning is similar...

Re: Noun, Adjective, and Adverb

buckmajor — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:48:46 GMT

I'm quite surprise that no one has replied yet?? I thought V.I.P members always get first priority haha lol na kidding.

Re: My TAKE AWAY from reading a book

grammar geek — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:01:21 GMT

Yes, it's an idiom, and where I live it's pretty common. It's a noun and it means "major thing I learned." It's more common in the business world. I went to his lecture. My two major take-aways were... After three solid days of meetings, there was only one take-away for me: Don't come to this meeting next year.

Re: Possessive case of compound nouns

clive — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:28:24 GMT

Hi, The natural thing to say is simply 'My driver's licence is red' . My sweater is green. etc. Best wishes, Clive

Use of way

debpriya de — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:20:57 GMT

I have two questions regarding the use of the word " way". " The only way to tell if you like something is by trying it ." " The only way to tell if you like something is to try it ." The equivalent of 'to try it' should be 'trying it' in the first sentence. Then why do we use 'by trying it'. " The way he laughed was strongly reminiscent of his father. " In this sentence " The way he laughed " acts as a noun phrase. "The way he was standing , I thought he was ill ." What is the function of "The way he was standing" in the above sentence.

Re: Possessive case of compound nouns

debpriya de — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:47:21 GMT

" The colour of my driver's license is red." You could use such a sentence.

Possessive case of compound nouns

vafu — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:00:28 GMT

Which is correct: "My driver's licence color ... is red" or "My driver licence's color ... is red?"

How can I say?

palinkasocsi — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:21:08 GMT

Dear Friends, Suppose I am giving a lecture and I mispronounce a tongue-twisting name. I want to be ironic and want to say that I hope I will mispronounce this name in the next week's lecture, too. What ironic statement could I say which includes the noun 'tongue'? I hope my tongue will ... this name next time, too. (?) Thank you. Palinkasocsi

Re: The history of packaging (CPE, Selective cloze)

tanit — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:58:02 GMT

How do you compose these gaps, do you use a special program? Hi. I tried to find the post where Hitchhiker explained how to post tests, but I didn't make it. However, the code is quite simple. Enclose the text within the tags and (without the spaces. I put them to prevent the sytem from converting the whole post into a test!) Also, enclose the given choices within inverted commas/speechmarks ( " ), put the correct one first and separate them by means of this symbol | (no spaces). For instance: The is " an article | a verb | a noun | an adj

Re: Sentence analysis

gleb_chebrikoff — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:43:23 GMT

Greetings, Tina, Mister Micawber's answers are completely relevant, but let me make some additional remarks: 1. A time of prosperity and peace - is a noun phrase you analysed absolutely correctly. In general, noun phrases may have the following constituent parts: a) the head , around which the other constituents cluster. In your case, it is time ; b) the determinative , which includes - predeterminers , all items which precede any central determiner in a noun phrase, eg all, both, half (there are no predeterminers in your case); - central determiners , such as articles, this/that, some, etc. In your example, a is a central determiner; - postdeterminers , follow central determiners but precede premodifiers...

Re: Sentence analysis

mister micawber — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:37:57 GMT

First sentence: "A time of prosperity and peace"-- This is not a sentence; it is a noun phrase 'A time' is a noun phrase, where 'a' is the determiner and 'time' is the head. 'Of' is a preposition, so I think it's a prepositional phrase with a noun complement. -- OK, but notice that the prepositional phrase is post-modifying 'time', making the whole thing a larger noun phrase. In Delft ( Prep phrase) the econony (noun phrase) was thriving (verb phrase) and (conj) brought (verb) wealth (noun phrase) to town and country (prep phrase)-- OK

Sentence analysis

needgrammarhelp — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:03:42 GMT

I could really use some help with some sentences analysis. I am not sure at all if I am on the right track . First sentence: "A time of prosperity and peace" I did this analyse: A time is a noun phrase, where a is the determiner and time is the head. Of is a preposition, so I think it`s a prepositional phrase with a noun complement. Is this wrong? Another sentence is: "In delft, the economy was thriving and brought wealth to town and country" I did this: In delft ( Prep phrase) the econony (noun phrase) was thriving (verb phrase) and (conj) brought (verb) wealth (noun phrase) to town and country (prep phrase) Please let me know what is wrong. Thank you so...

Re: Well-known vs. known

philip — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:43:35 GMT

It is correct. It is very common to see this modified adjective before the noun as follows: It is a very well-known theory that....

Re: Difference in fom and meaning

gleb_chebrikoff — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:08:57 GMT

Dear friend, the brown floor is a single noun phrase, you rightly assume so. It is the direct object of the sentence They painted the brown floor. However, when it comes to the second sentence, the analysis differs, the floor brown is not a single noun phrase, but two phrases - the floor + brown . They painted the floor brown. = They painted the floor . It became brown . As you can see, this sentence expresses two thoughts, and, by combining them, we get a noun phrase ( the floor), which is still the direct object of the sentence, and another noun phrase ( brown ), which characterizes the direct object and is known as an object complement . Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

Difference in fom and meaning

needgrammarhelp — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:06:13 GMT

I would like some help with these two sentences, what is the difference in form? I understand the difference in meaning: "They painted the brown door" and "They painted the door brown" As far as I can see "the brown door" and "the door brown" are both noun phrases, and the difference lies in the funtions within these noun phrases? Am I correct? And I also believe that the verbs has different relevance.. But what exactly is the difference? I am just stucked, maybe I have looked at it to long, but please give me some help.

Re: The week/ a week/ week

clive — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:07:15 GMT

Hi, 1. How about "Monday is the day of weeks between Sunday and Tuesday" 'day of weeks' is incorrect. It makes your meanung extremely unclear. It sounds like you mean (Monday is the day of ) (weeks between Sunday and Tuesday) which makes no sense. I know 'the X' can always be generalized, but Xs, and a X can be sometimes. A dog is a faithful animal. StartFragment > Dogs are faithful animals. StartFragment > The dog is a faithful animal. You can also say A week has seven datys The week has seven days Weeks have seven days But note that these are all much simpler statements than the one you are having trouble with. above all are...

Re: Please check

sunnyshiny — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:01:51 GMT

hey, your sentence is fine. so don't worry. affect is a verb but effect is a noun. we should say "have effech on sth"

Re: Could anybody correct the sentence for me?

john claset — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:45:11 GMT

v This is a noun , but it is being used as an explanation Congratulating / Congratulations for you on this happy day. ^ this is a preasent progressive verb a big no no when talking to someone about them When congratulating a person, tell them "Congratulations" (you are giving them congratulations.) change the word "for" to "to" Congratulations for | to | you on this happy day. -- Now for the main sentence. --

Re: The week/ a week/ week

doctor d — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:29:01 GMT

The correct sentence is "Monday is the day of the week between Sunday and Tuesday." You can also say: "Monday is the day between Sunday and Tuesday." Or: "Monday is a day of the week." "Monday is the day of a week between Sunday and Tuesday" is wrong because it refers to a particular week rather than a generalized week. You are defining what Monday is. "Monday is the day of week between Sunday and Tuesday" is wrong because "week" (a noun) requires an article (either "a" or "the") before it. That leaves "the week."

Re: All I need is…

califjim — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:58:06 GMT

it is still not clear to me. OK. Maybe you just need a little review about "dummy it ". In many cases, as with adjectives like important, possible, and necessary , we move the subject from the beginning to the end of the sentence, putting it in its place at the beginning. The it that you see at the beginning is called "dummy it ", because it is just a place holder for the subject that has been moved to the end. Remember, a subject has to be a noun or something noun-like, for example, a noun clause. The for ... to ... clause is not adverbial. is necessary. becomes is necessary . is not possible. becomes is not possible . _____________________________________ The following example is more like your...

Re: Head-up position

gleb_chebrikoff — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:55:59 GMT

Hello, Antonija, Modified Valsalva manoeuvre is to be ? executed/carried out/conducted with great precaution, ? best of a ll in head - up position, performed after each few meters of descent and before pain or discomfort appear s . 1. manoeuvre (or maneuver) - mind the spelling; 2. You can either execute, carry out, or conduct a manoeuvre (these are the most common collocations), so suit yourself; 3. head-up: noun modifier, with a hyphen; 4. no article before pain ; 5. appear s - correct Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

Re: All I need is…

califjim — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:14:39 GMT

'for some jerk to...' doesn't look like a noun phrase. No, but from for to the end of the sentence is, in fact, a noun phrase. It's a for ... to ... clause, and all such clauses are noun-like. It's important for him to be here on time . = For him to be here on time is important. In your example the for is not absolutely required, but it fits well with the casual style of the remark. Given a choice, I would leave it in. CJ

Re: All I need is…

musicgold — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:37 GMT

Thanks. I am sorry, but your answer is not clear to me. I think the phrase "All I need is" needs a noun or noun phrase at the end. 'for some jerk to...' doesn't look like a noun phrase.

Re: For clause

clive — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:17:37 GMT

Hi, For her to have survived this ordeal is amazing." In this sentence , is " For her to have survived " used as a noun phrase ? Yes What is the meaning of the sentence ? Does it mean that the event of her survival is amazing Y e s or does it mean that (for her) "surviving this ordeal " is amazing ? No. That meaning would be written as " For her , to have survived this ordeal is amazing." Clive

Re: near VS nearby ???????

cool breeze — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:15:40 GMT

wow, thats incorrect. although both are adj, 'near' isnt used in front of nouns except rarely. It can be used as an adj, 'her house is near' but in front of a noun 'nearby' is almost always a better choice. I, too, would prefer nearby exactly like you. You may be interested in these definitions from the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, though: –adj. 8. being close by; not distant: the near fields. 9. being the lesser in distance: the near side. 10. short or direct: the near road. 11. close in time: the near future. 12. closely related or connected: our nearest relatives. 13. close to an original: a near translation. 14. closely affecting one's interests or feelings: a matter of near consequence to...

Re: Afternoon is the time I need coffee.

yankee — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:48:32 GMT

There is no indefinite article with the word "coffee" because "coffee" is an uncountable noun. However, you could say this: - Afternoon is the time I need a cup of coffee . The word "afternoon" does not have an article because that word refers generally to a time of day. In theory, you could also say "the afternoon", but it isn't necessary in your sentence.

Re: Ten sentences I got from movie I'm not sure correct?

califjim — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:33:56 GMT

1 The tenderest of steak. Not a sentence, but OK as a noun phrase. 2 She made dinner in the time that I was gone. OK. 3 You've put me in a delicate situation. OK. 4 My hair is itching because of the helmet. OK. (head, actually, so this is a bit humorous) 5 We have q s ualified/We are qualified. Either. Different meanings. 6 The handlebar seems fine/feels fine. Either OK. 7 The more you cook the meat, the less you feel if its bad and expired. No. I don't get it. 8 He might not want to sell it when he's no longer in deb t . OK. 9 Who but/other than/apart from your dad goes to the states often? OK. 10 You/It must feel so light and wierd weird without that cast on. OK. 11 I

Re: Allow or Allows?

grammar geek — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:44:29 GMT

I found CJ's "number transparency" post a really good one for those "One-third of... " and "Fifty percent of..." questions. You do need to unlearn the rule about making the verb agree with the closest noun. Consider: This album features a collection of songs that covers the band's earliest years together. It is the COLLECTION that covers, not the songs that cover. The X of Ys construction is often miswritten, and probably more often mis-spoken.

Re: Two Inquiries: Intransitive vs. Transitive problem? and Relative Pronoun positions.

minofachino — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:30:59 GMT

Gleb Chebrikoff, thank you for your response. It's really informative and interesting--I agree with your analysis of "tell." 3. (d; intr., tr.) ('to inform') to — about, of (he didn't want to — about the incident; — me about the game; she told everyone of her success) The definition from your combinatory dictionary works, but it still has that controversial element because switching in "to inform" (I'm going to inform about Ichiro Suzki) doesn't sound...well, sound--it's similar to the issues of substituting "to notify." Additionally, I feel like "tell" brings with it a sense of urgency, importance, mystery, sternness (when used to discipline) or secrecy, which...

Re: Allow or Allows?

dimsumexpress — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:57:36 GMT

Thanks for your comments and reply to my queries. Your answers certainly erased some of my doubts toward the subject. What do you think of the following: 1) This is a list of medications which clinically show/ shows steady improvement on patients with symtoms of Insomnia. It's the medications that show. 2) The police is almost certain that there is a loose group of Juveniles who responsible for the break-ins Police is always plural. You may mean "it's the group that is" or you may mean "it's the juveniles who are" -- it's not clear what the writer's intention is. I would have chosen the plural verb form in both because of the preceding plural nouns...

Re: Allow or Allows?

grammar geek — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:25:30 GMT

I think the area of confusion, or "doubts" if you will, exists in situations where a "quantifier" is used in front of a plural noun. Correct me if I am wrong. Fifty percent - is a unit of something, and it's generally considered singular, I think we can agree that much; can't we?. No, we don't agree here. "Fifty percent off is a good deal!" In that case, the idea of "Fifty percent off" is a single idea. See this post by CJ on "transparency": http://www.englishforums.com/English/AThirdWorldPopulation/cxkzj/post.htm#238896 What do you think of the following: 1) This is a list medications which clinically show/ shows steady improvement on...

Re: Allow or Allows?

dimsumexpress — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:59:41 GMT

Hi GG, I think the area of confusion, or "doubts" if you will, exists in situations where a "quantifier" is used in front of a plural noun. Correct me if I am wrong. Fifty percent - is a unit of something, and it's generally considered singular, I think we can agree that much; can't we?. But "Fifty percent of the people in this town doesn't believe in same sex marriage" to me doesn't fit as well as "don't believe" as the "belief" pertains to the people, not the "50%". I am quit sure many people, natives and non-natiave alike, have varying views and opinions toward this discussion. I posted that link to try to draw a parallel and didn't mean to make...

Re: Allow or Allows?

dimsumexpress — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:30:00 GMT

Having seen the response and felt doubtful myself, I did some searching, here is one of the "verb agreement" rules from http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/subjectVerbAgree.asp Examples: Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared. Pie is the object of the preposition of . Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared . Pies is the object of the preposition. This suggests that the noun preceding the verb is the determining factor to the verb form. One-third of the city is unemployed. One-third of the people are unemployed. NOTE: Hyphenate all spelled-out fractions.

Re: How to use "follow-up" word

grammar geek — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:41:37 GMT

Please note that it's a hyphen, not a dash. As a noun, use the hyphen. I'm doing some follow-up on the people who haven't responded yet As a verb, don't use it. I need to follow up with the people who haven't responded yet.

Re: FRIEND FRIENDS

califjim — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:54:51 GMT

The noun after "one of" is always plural. friend s in this case. I can't think of an exception. CJ

Re: Lost/loss what do I use and how? Thanks

yankee — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:38:29 GMT

Lakers lost the game today. Or Lakers loss the game today. Hi Anon You need a verb in your sentence, and " lost " is the past tense of the verb "lose". The word "loss" is a noun, so you cannot use that in your sentence.

Re: Coordinate or non-coordinate adjectives?

doctor d — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:59:49 GMT

Use commas when the adjectives are of equal weight (modify the noun equally). If you can simply reverse the order of the adjectives, then you probably need a comma In the first phrase, I think "small" modifies "circular" more than it does "piece of metal," so I would not include a comma. The phrase "a circular small piece of metal" sounds wrong. In the case of the adjectives modifying "piece of cloth," they are of equal weigh and their order can be shifted ("a white, soft piece of cloth"), so the comma should be included.