Search results for 'tag:Verbs tag:Clauses' matching tags 'Verbs' and 'Clauses'

Re: Questions on the word but

Avangi — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:05:08 GMT

wholegrain
1) Can "but" be used instead of that when an idea of doubt, fear or distaste?

2) Can "but" mean that...not, therefore "There never is a tax law presented but someone will oppose it" means "There never is a tax law that someone will not oppose"?

Hi, wholegrain.
I think it's a gross oversimplification to say that "but" is substituted for "that" in your example. "That" is just a relative pronoun, while "but" in your example (IMHO) is a conjunction connecting two independent clauses. (I may be all wet!)

I never saw a tax law which/that someone didn't oppose. To me, this is a relative clause, or dependent clause (surely not indepent) where "that" serves as direct object of the verb "to oppose." (In your example, "to oppose" has its own direct object, "it.")

In you example, "someone will oppose it" is an independent clause, so I'd take "but" as a conjunction. I cant think of another common conjunction or conjunctive phrase which can replace it in this example. The sentence would probably have to be rewritten, as you have done.

Perhaps you realize this: << that.....not, therefore >> , but what you say is a little hard for me to follow. (Does question 1) apply to the example in question 2), or is there no example for question 1) ?)

- A.

Re: HELP! (noun/adjective/adverb clauses)

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:19:58 GMT

don't feel bad im in 8th grade and learning this right now and i dont get it eather. Good luck!!

Re: Would - Conditional

CalifJim — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:26:05 GMT

Dummy IT, not dummy IF!

It seems to me that sometimes the IF-clause is what the IT represents.

It would surprise me if Mike failed the exam.

is essentially

"if Mike failed the exam" would surprise me.

Mike's failure would surprise me.

I only make the observation that, in my opinion, speakers are less careful in these circumstances regarding the tense in the main clause, so that, for example, one may hear in casual conversation

It would surprise me if Mike fails the exam.

This tendency should not be imitated by learners, however.

Anonymous
Any other cases in which both present and past verb forms can be used in the if-clauses?

Note that I have not said that both present and past forms are equally valid even in this case. Certainly some speakers make tense substitutions of this kind in many constructions, but that doesn't mean that we should conclude that there is a general rule that allows any tense at any time!

Re: Would - Conditional

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:37:59 GMT

Hi, CalifJim.

Are you saying this?

If a sentence has a dummy if, are you saying both present and past verb forms can be used in the if-clauses? If a sentence does not have a dummy if but has an if that represents something, then the verb form in the if-clauses has to be the past form?

Any other cases in which both present and past verb forms can be used in the if-clauses?

Re: Noun phrases containing relative clauses...help!

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:30:30 GMT

actually "one thing I"d really miss" is the noun phrase acting as the subject of the sentence
the verb : is

Re: in bare feet

Avangi — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:16:05 GMT

We walked barefoot on the beach. Here, "barefoot" is an adverb telling only how we walked.

We walked on the beach in bare feet. Here, the prepositional phrase "in bare feet" is also adverbial in function, but modifies the entire clause, "we walked on the beach." The preposition "in" shows the relation between the "mode" in which we appeared and the action we performed. The "in" is not optional.

We decided to go to the dance in costume / in full evening dress / in our work clothes / in the nude.

You should not try to perform the tango while the orchestra is playing in waltz time. Of course you don't have to use a prepositional phrase. You could say, "while the orchestra is playing a waltz."

- A.

Re: Commas in compound sentences where the second clause has an implied subject

Clive — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:14:03 GMT

Hi,

No commas are needed here. These are not compound sentences. They are just compound verbs ~~a single subject performing multiple actions. You can tell because the second half is not an independent clause~~it can't stand on its own. It's no different than if you had:

The doctor finished and removed. <<< This is a very odd, unclear and unnatural sentence. 'Removed' requires an object.
The shapes refused and became.<<< Again, this is a very odd, unclear and unnatural sentence. Is it intended to have some kind of meaning?
She could taste but could not feel.

You would need a second subject for them to be compound. Then a comma is required:Apparently, you disagree with some of the opinions expressed earlier in the thread that commas are optional but not necessary in cases like these.

The doctor finished, and he removed.
The shapes refused, and they became.
She could taste, but she could not feel.

See how in this second case, the two clauses can stand alone:

The doctor finished. He removed.
The shapes refused. They became.
She could taste. She could not feel.

This is not true for the first case. You would end up with fragments.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: Commas in compound sentences where the second clause has an implied subject

Anonymous — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:55:25 GMT

Re: nominative absolute clause..

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:39:35 GMT

Yes, it is. This is otherwise referred to in grammar as ABSOLUTE CONSTRUCTION. By definition, it is a reduced adjective or adverb clause that functions as sentence modifier indicating time and causality. This type of construction is commonly used more in writing than in speaking. I hope I've been able to help you in this matter.

Re: subject verb agreement ^^

Avangi — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:46:43 GMT

they bring         news is

laptops are       she brings

laptops are        they bring

There's an "understood" which she brings. This relative clause takes the pronoun out of contention for subject of the sentence, since it is instead subject of "brings" in the clause. The clause modifies "news."

shorts are

pair is    (one pair)

pairs are      What do you mean by "one noun"?   In "pair of shorts," "shorts" is object of the preposition, and not part of the simple subject. The prepositional phrase then modifies "pair."

music and writing are          her talent lies     OR her talents lie   (talent may be countable or uncountable)

no effort!

Once you identify the verb, think a little bit about what the subject really is   -   what/who is performing that exact action, etc.

Edit. Kooyeen's "music and writing is" raises a thorny problem. I'm not sure of the solution.

Where did you do your undergraduate work? (reply) Harvard and Yale. / I did it at Harvard and Yale. / Harvard and Yale is /are where I did my undergraduate work.