By Verbs, Expressions

Re: use of modals for past sense

Yes. The modals are sometimes called "defective verbs", meaning that they cannot be conjugated in all the tenses available for other verbs. If you need the subtleties of those tenses, you have to switch to some other verb or equivalent expression.(Recall that a sentence marked with...

Re: the expression of action or that of occurrence?

"To see you tomorrow" and "I will see you tomorrow" both denote a future action, and it is the verbs "want" and "expect" that modify them so that they become a desire (in the case of "want") and an expectation(in B and C). B and C are equivalent...

coordinate/work

Hi teachers, a/what is the meaning of the verb " coordinate" in this sentence " The Ministry of Finance coordinates with other relevant ministries and agencies to gather information about foreign loans and report to the Prime Minister ". Is "coordinate" here the...

Re: what does Fancy mean

.Interesting question. Fancy here is a verb, and the verb means 'imagine'. We have a related saying, 'Imagine seeing you here!' Still the expression ('Fancy -ing...') is more a fixed phrase than a real expression of imagination; it expresses (usually mild)...

the middle voice option

ganesh77 started a thread which wrapped up on April 25, called "how to explain the usage of the ergative verb?" She's teaching ESL in an Asian country and her superior is Asian, I think. I had never heard the expression "ergative," which she defined as verbs having both...

Re: what verb or phrasal verb?

Thanks for the prompt response, GG. I appreciate it. Are there also other more informal expressions? Thanks. Raen

what verb or phrasal verb?

Twice this week I was asked if I had used any medication for my cold, I wanted to say more than just a "No" because I chose not to take any and that I rather have my natural immune system fight the virus. So in order to convey that I forge forward with the cold and let it run its...

Re: proverb

Hi, Can I put these expressions this way as in 1."Health is better than wealth," as the old saying goes. Yes. 2."Health is better than wealth," as the old saying puts it. Yes. 3.So goes the old saying, "Health is better than wealth." 'So' normally refers...

Re: proverb

Hi Clive, Thank you very much for your advice. Can I put these expressions this way as in 1."Health is better than wealth," as the old saying goes. 2."Health is better than wealth," as the old saying puts it. 3.So goes the old saying, "Health is better than...

Re: proverb

Hi, Are all the expressions below in bold interchangeable? 1.As the old saying goes, "Health is better than wealth." 2.As the old saying puts it, "Health is better than wealth." 3."Health is better than wealth.", so goes the old saying. If I wanted to write...