Search results for 'user:Clive'

Re: Class act

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:13:55 GMT

Hi, What is the origin/etymology of 'class act'? Without research, I've always thought it comes from the world of the theatre, particularly the kind of variety show in which different people perform different acts. A relatively new coinage? Not really. Is it applicable to "objects without life"? No, it refers tp people and how they do things. Clive

Re: Crack

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:09:06 GMT

Hi, expert Often used in a military kind of context. Clive

Re: Helmed laugh

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:04:18 GMT

Hi, The director, who has helmed directed, been the boss of ( laugh riots ) a 'laugh riot' means a funny fim, TV show, etc. like 'Judwa', 'Biwi No.1', 'Hero No.1' and 'Partner' Clive

Re: I ungry about you

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:54:43 GMT

Hi, correct when i want say:iam ungry from you or about you.. i just study Do you mean 'angry'? Or 'hungry'? eg I am angry with you. Best wishes, Clive

Re: Language arts

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:27:08 GMT

Hi, david has gave his soccer equipment to jason and i David has given his soccer equipment to Jason and me. Note that a sentence is incorrect without appropriate punctuation and capitals. Clive

Re: Are these sentence grammatically correct?

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:59:06 GMT

Hi, As a non-native speaker studying English Syntax, I need native's linguistic intuition about following sentences. Do you think they are acceptable? (VP Preposing) They say he may have been killing flies, ... 1. ...and killing flies he may have been. OK 2. ...and been killing flies he may have. 3. ...and have been killing flies he may. (Negative Vp Preposing) They say he may not have been killing flies, ... 4. ...and not have been killing flies, he may. 5. ...and been killing flies, he may not have. 6. ...and killing flies, he may not have been. 7. ...and have been killing flies he may not. 8. ...and not been killing flies, he may not. 9. ...and not killing flies, he may have been. (Though...

Re: 'led a ship' vs 'ship captain'

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:48:07 GMT

Hi, #1 is completely unidiomatic. #2 is acceptable, although we commonly say 'a ship's captain' or 'a captain of a ship'. We normally occupy a position rather than execute it. Clive

Re: Exemption from + exam from / of

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:27:27 GMT

Hi, Sentence1: I got 3 exemptions from the accounting exams . Sentence2: I got exemptions from 3 accounting exams. You can say it both ways. In both cases, it sounds like there are more than three exams in total. Clive

Re: What does ''squat'' mean in the context of the above sentence?

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:19:32 GMT

Hi, I think of 'squat' as scatological, so my advcie is to be careful who you use this term with. Consider this, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/diddly-squat did·dly-squat also did·dly·squat play_w2("D0209900") (d d l -skw t ) n. Slang A small or worthless amount. hm()

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:07:46 GMT

Hi, It's fine. eg which was the reason he was still alive eg which was what he wanted eg which was where he died Clive

Re: Use versus uses

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:10:53 GMT

Hi, The word 'everything' is third person. Clive

Re: Speak to/ speak with

clive — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:02:28 GMT

Hi, Generally, I agree with what has been said, but I would also like to add a comment. speak with - I tend to view this as a feature of N. American English. speak to - This is more common in Canadian English, and (as far as I know, unless things have changed in my long absence) in British English. Whether or not the other person also spoke is usually obvious from the context or simply unimportant. Best wishes, Clive

Re: Sentences restructure

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:46:04 GMT

Hi, I would like to seek anyone assistance to comment my sentences as below. Thanks YHere are some edits and comments. 1) Don't rely reply on technical energy saving techniques Rewrite:Human issue to be made attention rather than technical aspects. Your sentence has no main verb. 2) Don't just busily practising energy conservation without going on to training Your sentence has no main verb. Rewrite:Training need s to be concentrated on and provided with carrying energy saving plan <<< You have no main verb here. Say it another way.Wha 3) Don't give up easily even under adverse conditions

Re: At one moment in time

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:35:34 GMT

Hi, Think of time as a river. One moment in time is like one specific point in that river. Clive

Re: Demolishing class differences

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:33:10 GMT

Hi, At the time referred to, it was considered inappropriate for a man of higher status like OM to have a romantic/sexual relationship with a maid, who was considered to be of lower status. What Om did helped to destroy these artificial barriers that were based on social class. Clive

Re: Past present and future

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:28:15 GMT

Hi, 8. If Amy calls , tell her that I am in a meeting. PRESEN T FUTURE 11. Aliens fly over Roswell. PRESENT PAST PRESENT FUTURE Clive

Re: At one moment in time

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:09:19 GMT

Hi, What does 'swoop in' and 'at one moment in time' mean in the context? Is 'at one moment in time' a fixed phrase? He swooped in rushed into their lives dramatically and suddenly and stole her from her husband and destroyed their family. She said the marriage she had to her husband had not been a great romance; it was just two people who needed one another at one moment in time. at one particular short period in time Best wishes, Clive

Re: Rephrasing a given sentence

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:11:23 GMT

Hi, It is impossible to say goodbye. Clive

Re: What is the difference between the Sentence, clause, phrase

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:06:47 GMT

Hi, Please read this thread. Then ask questions about anything that is still not clear to you. Clive

Re: Test

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:59:18 GMT

Hi, In such a situation you shouldn't feel embarrassed; you'd better act naturally. In my opinion, native speakers would have no trouble understanding this statement. The underlying idea is that embarrassment can cause someone to stop doing something, or conceal the fact they are doig something. The speaker is saying that's a bad approach. In such a situation you shouldn't feel emotional; you'd better act naturally. I think you are being too analytical about this version. In my opinion, native speakers would find this statement this rather odd. If they heard it, they'd have to stop and think for a while to try to find a meaning in it. Best wishes, Clive

Re: I'm confused !!

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:14:26 GMT

Hi, " He will need to be picked up at my place on Sunday night for 9:30pm back to Pudong." Is this right? Should it be using "at" here ? If the above is right, please kindly explain with some examples. " He will need to be picked up at my place on Sunday night for a 9:30pm flight back to Pudong." 'At' is fine. It indicates a location. At school. At my friend's house. At the bank. You can't say 'a 9:30 pm'. Youhave to say 'a 9:30pm something' . Best wishes, Clive

Re: All + expressions of time

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:01:58 GMT

Hi, You're welcome. Are you in Buenos Aires? Clive

Re: Hi!

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:57:10 GMT

Hi, It has been six days, since I graduated, but, I still have not got an ideal job. I do not hope to earn money by strength. I hope to get a job that can earn me enough money for futher studies and improve my English. It has been six days since I graduated, but I still have not got an ideal job. I do not hope to earn money by manual labour. I hope to get a job that can earn me enough money for further studies and to improve my English. Clive

Re: All + expressions of time

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:05:58 GMT

Hi, And how about this? On Sundays I have breakfast and play with the computer all day. Is it correct? It's OK. Should I add "all day long "? 'Long' just adds some emphasis. We usually 'play on the computer, not 'play with the computer'. Clive

Re: Genealogy: First cousin twice removed

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:00:28 GMT

H, I've never understood all this stuff either. It doesn't seem to come up much at all in everyday conversation. People often just speak of 'one of my relatives'. Clive

Re: English homework

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:56:55 GMT

Hi Hassan, i wud really appreciate if you let me know of a good source to learn advanced english. You need to go to a good class, with a good teacher. You also need to read a lot and, if possible, speak a lot with native speakers And how to use vocabulary in sentences. looking for your reply. As I said, read a lot. You can also use Google to try to see how words that interest you are used. Try to look at sites that you think are by native speakers. Finaly, Englishforums is a good resource for specific questions, and to get your writing checked. Best wishes, Clive

Re: The use of "hale and hearty"

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:29:09 GMT

Hi, Well, not completely proper, because your mom didn't use capitals aa the start of her sentences. It's a real struggle to teach English learners to do this. Best wishes, Clive

Re: Would/ would like to

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:10:01 GMT

Hi Kooyeen, 'Yes, I would, please' is not unusual or odd. It's just a 'distanced' form of politeness. Don't forget the original offer also used the same 'would'. It sometimes shows a little more emphasis or enthusiasm. But we often just say ' Yes, please'. Clive

Re: Would you correct my English? ( Nov. 24 )

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:20:52 GMT

Hi, Here's my version. No. 1 M: I visited my parents in Osaka last week. F: Oh, are you from Osaka? I didn't know that. M: Didn't I tell you? I thought you knew. F: No. How many people in your family? / Do you have any brothers or sisters? No. 2 On the freeway M: Okay, we're getting close. Do you know which exit it is? F: Yes. You'd better get in the right lane. We'll be there in a few minutes. M: Now I see, "Pacific Avenue." That's the one, isn't it? Best wishes, Clive

Re: Vocabulary

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:09:16 GMT

Hi, Have a look here. http://www.englishforums.com/English/Humunculation/lpngl/post.htm Clive

Re: Table scraps

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:05:35 GMT

Hi, It refers to the scraps of food left on Ted's plate, and sometimes also on the floor,after he finishes eating. The general idea is that Ted treats her with contempt. Clive

Re: Marine term

clive — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:01:22 GMT

Hi, I have no idea. Is the term not explained elsewhere in the text? I wonder if there is some refernce to strips of fibreglass, which are applied in a wet state. Seems like an unlikely explanation to me. Clive

Re: Questios.

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:56:02 GMT

Hi, Not with all those spelling errors. Clive

Re: Test

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:51:57 GMT

Hi, You may be right. Clive

Re: Abate and abase

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:47:39 GMT

Hi, First, have you looked them up in a dictionary? If you don't hane one, some are available online. eg http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ Best wshes, Clive

Re: Sentence correction

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:41:11 GMT

Hi, 'Happy Birthhday' is a greeting. It is the greeting that is belated, not the birthday. So, say 'Belated Happy Birthday'. Clive

Re: Would/ would like to

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:38:45 GMT

Hi, A question: 1 ---Would you like black coffee? ----Yes. I WOULD. Yes. In many situations, you can emphasize 'would'. 2 ---Would you like something to drink? ----Yes, I'd like to. Not correct. The normal answer is'Yes, I would'. I know the two above are correct. But I just wonder whether we can answer the question 2 this way: Yes, I WOULD! , in order to emphasize it. Please note that the word 'please' is normally added at the end of this kind of answer. Without it, your answer appears quite rude. In English-speaking culture, 'please' is an important and very common word. In fact, I'm shocked by how many people ask for help on this Forum without saying...

Re: Test

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:29:23 GMT

Hi, 'embarrassed'. The basic idea is that, in such a situation, feeling embarrassment is not a natural thing to do. This is a common way of thinking. It would be odd to suggest that feeling emotional is not a natural thing to do. Most people consider our emotions to be an integral part of our natures. One can think of situations (eg when attacked by a lion ) where it would not be natural to feel 'comfortable' or 'confident', so I wouldn't say those answers are completely impossible. Just a lot less likely. Best wishes, Clive

Re: Urgent problem

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:15:55 GMT

Hi, just wanna know that are my sentences correct?? pls check them I would like to have a word with you. Thank you for having words with me. Did u have a word with him with ? Did u have words with him? #3 and #4 are incorrect. They have the same spelling error. 'To have a word with someone' means 'to talk with someone'. 'To have words with someone' means 'to quarrel with someone'. Best wishes, Clive

Re: Walk by, for a reason

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:07:04 GMT

Hi, No, I don't mean that. eg Fred walks past a film set. eg Tom often walks past a film set. eg Mary rarely walks past a film set. Clive

Re: Politician/bureaucrat

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:04:29 GMT

Hi, A bureaucrat works in an office all day. ('Bureau', basically, means 'office'.) Most police officers and soldiers don't. Best wishes, Clive

Re: Any/Some

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:00:42 GMT

Hi, Do you want any of this cake? Do you want some of this cake? Aren't both correct? Yes. But the former suggests more strongly that the speaker is considering the possibility you may want no cake at all. Clive

Re: Closing an email letter with VR

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:56:32 GMT

Hi, acronym abbreviation Clive

Re: Salutation for interim university president

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:52:40 GMT

Hi, I'd favour 'Dear President Smith'. Interim or not, a President is a President. I assume this is an American university. The British tradition is that a university has a chancellor. Best wishes, Clive

Re: Love of or love for

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:56:26 GMT

Hi, "A father's love of his/a son." Does the word "love" refer to the father's love towards the son or does it refer to the son's love towards the father? It refers to the love the father has towards his son. The possesive 'father 's ' shows that the love 'belongs to' or 'originates from' the father. I've read in a book that it goes both ways . It can be rather tricky. It depends on the context.. eg The father's love of his son is the strongest emotion in the father's life. " The love goes from the father to the son." eg The father has the love of his son. " The love goes from the son to the father." eg Love of...

Re: Another Word For..

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:47:54 GMT

Hi, Can you give us an example of the kind of thing you are thinking about, please? Have you looked at the word 'antithesis' ? Clive

Re: They have a fever or they have fever?

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:44:22 GMT

Hi, I never say either. I always use the idiomatic British English expression, 'I have a (high) temperature'. Best wishes, Clive

Re: For your vacation? In your vacation?

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:04:38 GMT

Hi, A little kid asked me the difference between "where did you go for your vacation?" Normal. 'For' really means 'for the purpose of vacationing'. It's rather like saying 'Where did you go for dinner?' and "where did you go in your vacation?" 'In' is not very idiomatic. We commonly say ' on' when we are thinking of a vacation as a trip. It's rather like saying 'Where did you go on your trip?' The sentence with "for" sounds more like what we'd use, Yes but I could not give him a rational explaination as to why the sentence with "for" is preferred, or this is just a peculiarity? I know this is probably obvious to most of you,...

Re: I have a question!

clive — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:57:10 GMT

Hi, The person whose job it is to process new applications is Jay Kim, the human resources manager. Is this a correct sentence? Yes. I have a trouble interpreting the phrase "whose job it is to process new applications" .. 'whose job' is the Subject of this small phrase and "is" is the verb.. then, what is the pronoun "it" doing here? Let me try to explain it this way. 'It' here serves the same function as 'it' in 'It is his job to process new applications'. Best wishes, Clive