http://www.englishforums.com/search/pro.htm?q=user%3aadvoca&o=DateDescendingSearch results for 'user:advoca'en-USXMOD (Build: 3616.28671)http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfAColon/cxxn/post.htm#14203Wed, 26 Nov 2003 07:55:11 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:14203advocaForgive me jumping in. The colon has only one important function: it indicates that what follows it is an explanation or elaboration or what precedes it. What the precedes the colon must be a complete sentence. What follows it may be a sentence, a phrase, a list, or even a single word. Here are some examples. Only four contenders remain: Sampras, Agassi, Rafter and Henman. We propose the creation of a new post: School Executive Officer. Africa is facing a terrifying problem: AIDS. The situation is clear: if you have unprotected sex with a stranger, you risk AIDS. A colon should not interrupt a sentence that flows smoothly without it. Therefore, it is wrong to write, "The three things I like to do on vacation...http://www.englishforums.com/English/TipsGettingFastFullResponses/cnld/post.htm#14042Tue, 25 Nov 2003 02:21:51 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:14042advocaJohn C, may I say a deep and sincere "amen." It ought to be posted widely. I do hope many people will read it.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhoeverVsWhomever/cxcp/post.htm#14040Tue, 25 Nov 2003 02:09:00 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:14040advocaSpeaking as a teacher, I get irritated when I see questions like this in an examination. I feel that it is a trick question. I hope it was not in an exam for those learning English as a Second language. It is grammatically correct to say whomever but I doubt is one in a thousand would say it. Most people would say whoever. There is an old joke passed around by teachers of grammar. Saint Peter in heaven heard a knock on the door. "Whose there?" he asked. "It is I," was the reply. "Heck!" said Saint Peter. "Another one of those damn grammar teachers." Grammatically, it is correct to say, "It is I." But not one in a thousand says it. Most say, "It's me."http://www.englishforums.com/English/DoYorkersGramaticalSense/4/chbl/Post.htm#14039Tue, 25 Nov 2003 01:51:38 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:14039advocaInteresting thread. But no one has stopped to define what is a New Yorker? Is it someone who lives in Chinatown? The Bronx? Manhattan? Queens? What is a Londoner? Someone who lives in North London? The East End? Chelsea? Lambeth? Hampstead? There is always danger in generalisations.http://www.englishforums.com/English/IsPhraseLargeNumbersUsed/chzn/post.htm#11949Sun, 02 Nov 2003 03:59:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:11949advocaYou cannot say "a large numbers" This is bad English. If you use "a" you are refering to the singular. You must say, "a large number." You can say, "large numbers of..." "Large numbers of tourists came to China in 2002." Or you can say, " "There was a large number of tourists in the Forbidden City last year."http://www.englishforums.com/English/Thinking/czqm/post.htmSun, 26 Oct 2003 02:54:01 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:11555advocaI am always trying to encourage my students to think. For example, if I ask the question, "What do you think of America?" I get several types of response. So I ask my students, "What is America?" Some say, "It is a beautiful country, with friendly people." I point out that they are talking about America as a place. Others will say, "America is aggressive. They spy on China, they bombed the Chinese Embassy in Serbia, they attacked Iran, and they have attacked North Korea, Vietnam. They complain that North Korea and Iran are making nuclear bombs but they already have more nuclear bombs than any country in the world." This is talking about American policy; decisions made by the President and policies determined by the...http://www.englishforums.com/English/BritsishAccentAmericanAccent/czql/post.htmSun, 26 Oct 2003 02:40:05 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:11554advocaRecently there has been a long thread about British and American accents. But nobody has stopped to ask what is a British or an American accent. Do you mean an accent from London? If so from North London or the East end of London? From Birmingham, from Manchester, from Cardiff, from Edinburgh or Glasgow, or Belfast? All of these are different. And what sort of American accent? From New York, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan? From Texas, or Missouri, or Michigan? From New Orleans, from Seattle, Oshkosh Indiana, Chattanooga Tennessee? Elvis Presley's accent was different from the Rap Stars, or the Beach Boys. Come on, all you dear students. Stop thinking about accents, and start thinking about pronunciation. Make sure your...http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralOfNameEndingInS/cdzg/post.htm#10872Thu, 16 Oct 2003 04:59:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10872advocaIf there are two people at a meeting who are called Jones, you could say, "There were two Joneses at the meeting. However, although the general rule is to add es to the name it becomes somewhat cumbersome with some names. For example, it looks most awkward if you said there were two Culbertsonses at the meeting, or two Edwardses, or two Bateses. But it is much better to rearrange the sentence to say there were two people called Jones at the meeting (Two people called Culbertsons, two people called Edwards, two people called Bates, and so on.)http://www.englishforums.com/English/UsageFinancialReporting/cdvp/post.htm#10869Thu, 16 Oct 2003 04:49:27 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10869advocaSadly, 'as of' is quite often found in American writing. It is a silly expression, stiff and pompous. The 'of' is redundant. Use 'at.' (The balance at October 14, 2003 was $25.) Advice to all learners of English: Never use it in a sentence. Use 'at,' 'on', 'since,' or 'from' The Balance on October 14 was $25. He has stopped studying since September 1. You should discontinue work from November 1.http://www.englishforums.com/English/TurnTurnToTurnInto/cddl/post.htm#10867Thu, 16 Oct 2003 04:32:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10867advocaHave you heard about the magician who waved his magic wand at a motor car and it turned into a side street?http://www.englishforums.com/English/AOrAnBeforeHorsDoeuvre/cdzb/post.htm#10866Thu, 16 Oct 2003 04:25:24 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10866advocaMangle it! Of course they do. Some of my friends pronounce it as horses doovers. lol.http://www.englishforums.com/English/OffOf/cdrd/post.htmTue, 14 Oct 2003 04:37:33 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10696advocaIs there anyone out there who uses 'off of?' Take the sentence, "I can't take my eyes off of you," for example.http://www.englishforums.com/English/OffOf/cdrc/post.htmTue, 14 Oct 2003 04:35:07 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10695advocaIs there anyone out there who believes that 'off of' is correct? Take the sentence, "I can't take my eyes off of you" as an example.http://www.englishforums.com/English/HowDoYouSpellAutomotopia/ccmj/post.htm#10694Tue, 14 Oct 2003 04:21:57 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10694advocaJust to add a little bit to Hitchhiker's comments: The correct spelling is onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia refers to the use of words which sound like the noise they refer to. ‘Hiss’, 'smack,' 'whoosh,' and 'at-a-tat-tat' are examples of onomatopoeia.http://www.englishforums.com/English/IAreMeAre/zwq/post.htm#10693Tue, 14 Oct 2003 03:59:17 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10693advocaUnfortunately many people say "My boyfriend and me are going to the concert." But they are not speaking grammatically. If you are learning English, try and learn the correct way to speak. My boyfriend is going to the concert. I am going to the concert. Therefore, my boyfriend and I are going to the concert.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ThoughtsAboutMarriage/ccqg/post.htm#10689Tue, 14 Oct 2003 03:23:49 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10689advocaTalking about marriage, remember the famous line from the British Magazine, Punch. It said: Advice to those about to get married: don't.http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheDifferenceBetweenVampireDracula/cckm/post.htm#10688Tue, 14 Oct 2003 03:15:14 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10688advocaCount Dracula was a vampire, but he is not the only vampire. There are many others.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SpotANonNativeSpeaker/pvv/post.htm#10687Tue, 14 Oct 2003 03:12:32 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10687advocaThere seems to be some confusion here. As a native English speaker (I was born and educated in England) and having been a teacher of English for many years, I can say that there is no doubt in my mind that the quoted words were written by a native English speaker. Please remember that not all native English speakers speak or write perfect English, and everyone has their own ways of expressing themselves. Also remember that they speak English in Ireland (just as they speak English in America). They may speak it with an Irish accent, but they speak English. That is why my dear friends that I am giving you this explanation. (Not perfect grammar, but acceptable and understandable by most people.) I have got loads of things I could tell...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatDoYouKnowAboutChina/bzqq/post.htm#10625Mon, 13 Oct 2003 02:16:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10625advocaFor information: Roy Bates is English. He lives in Beijing. He first came to China in 1978. He is a writer, specialising in Chinese History.http://www.englishforums.com/English/FundumentalBeliefs/2/nvd/Post.htm#10624Mon, 13 Oct 2003 02:09:05 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10624advocaMarx did NOT say that religion is the OPIUM of the people. He said the religion is the OPIATE of the people, which is quite different. An opiate is a thing which soothes or stupefies.http://www.englishforums.com/English/GetTakeHave/ccdx/post.htm#10542Sat, 11 Oct 2003 03:07:34 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10542advocaHere is some advice on how to use "get, take, have" in English. There are two main uses of the word get: get 1 You use get with adjectives to mean `become'. For example, if someone gets cold, they become cold, and if they get angry, they become angry. The boys were getting bored. There's no point in getting upset. From here on, it can only get better. get 2 If you get something that you want or need, you obtain it. I got a job at the supermarket. The real problem was how to get enough food to stay alive. It is impossible to get servants, so she is doing everything herself. He had been having trouble getting a hotel room. I asked him to get me some information. But you can also use get to mean that you receive...http://www.englishforums.com/English/GetTakeHave/ccdx/post.htm#10541Sat, 11 Oct 2003 03:04:20 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10541advocaHere is some advice on the use of got and gotten. Got is the past tense and past participle of get. You use have got to say that someone has a particular thing, or to mention a quality or characteristic that someone or something has. I’ve got a coat just like this. She hasn’t got a work permit. Have you got any ideas?. Every city has got its good and bad points. The policeman asked, “Have you got any identification?” In informal spoken American English, people sometimes just use ‘got’. Got a coat just like this? She’s not got a work permit. Got any ideas? The policeman asked, “Got any identification?” You use have got to when you are saying that something is necessary or must happen in the way...http://www.englishforums.com/English/GetTakeHave/ccdx/post.htm#10540Sat, 11 Oct 2003 03:02:27 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10540advocaHere is some advice on how to use few and little, Few can be used in many ways. However, think about it this way: Use few to indicate that you are talking about a small number of people or things. Here are a few examples (a small number of examples): I gave a dinner party for a few close friends. We had a few drinks afterwards. Here are a few more ideas to consider. She was silent for a few seconds. Few people agreed with him The past few weeks have been very pleasant. You use little to indicate that there is only a very small amount of something. I had little money and little free time. I find that I need very little sleep these days. There is little doubt that a diet high in fibre is more satisfying. So...http://www.englishforums.com/English/SbNeededCheckLetterThank/bxpz/post.htm#10425Fri, 10 Oct 2003 05:05:17 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10425advocaI wonder if I might be permitted to correct the letter suggested by Wumanfu? First, starting a letter with Dear Sir/Madam is very old-fashioned. Many men (I included) do not like a start with a hint that I might be a madam. Men tend to dislike such an opening. Women, on the other hand, are more tolerant and do not find it objectionable if they are addressed as Sir. Therefore, if in doubt, start off with Dear Sir. Next, the letter should not be all one paragraph. And why write on behalf of friends? Can’t they write on their own? And the use of the horrible word “establishment!” Oh, dear me! Since the enquiry is for accommodation, it is obvious that the letter is being sent to a hotel, not to an establishment. And if a child...http://www.englishforums.com/English/CouldSomeoneLetter/bpmb/post.htm#10422Fri, 10 Oct 2003 04:21:13 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10422advocaPlease note edenburn's advice. KEEP YOUR MESSAGE SIMPLE. This is something that many non-English people find hard to accept. And also note how he perfectly phrases his letter . Do not make a humble request. (Why does it have to be humble?) And don't be "curious about" the speech. Be "interested in it."http://www.englishforums.com/English/SentenceStructureHelp/crzx/post.htm#10418Fri, 10 Oct 2003 04:07:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10418advocaOoh! None of these sentences is very good. Let me suggest a slight modification. His schedule for the early part of this week is tight, but he has indicated that on either Thursday or Friday (Oct. 9th & 10th) he could be available to meet with you and Dan to discuss the details. You can say “meet with Dan and you,” or “meet with you and Dan.” Either will do. The decision can be based on who is more important, Dan or you. My recommendation would be to say “meet with you and Dan,” if there is any doubt. It is not correct to say, “to meet with yourself and Dan.” Incidentally, it is now considered somewhat old-fashioned to say “Oct. 9th & 10th.” Most modern writers would prefer “Oct. 9 & 10” However, many people still use the...http://www.englishforums.com/English/FormalLetterAuthorCodesCont/bqbv/post.htm#10416Fri, 10 Oct 2003 03:49:16 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10416advocaThere is no hard and fast rule, but the most common practice is to put the author's initials in capitals and the typist's initials in lower case. Here is an example: LC/vb When there are more pages than one in a letter it is normal practice to put nothing at the end of the first page. Since there is no closure or signature it is obvious that there is another page. At the top of the second page, however, you have a choice. One method is to put in brackets, (To John Doe, continued). It is better not to abreviate. Put "continued" in full, rather than "cont." But let me repeat, again there is no hard and fast rule. A good guide to American style business letters is "Merriam Webster's Guide to Business Correspondence." It comes with...http://www.englishforums.com/English/BusinessLetter/cbhq/post.htm#10414Fri, 10 Oct 2003 03:26:49 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:10414advocaThere is often confusion when to use capital letters in writing and correspondence. A simple rule is to use capital letter whenyou want to be specific. For example, in England there is a government position called the Foreign Secretary. He might have a secretary to help him, and this secretary might be foreign. Therefore, the Foreign Secretary has a foreign secretary. There are many sales managers. But there is ony one Sales Manager. My name is Rachel Reid, and I am the International Sales Manager. (I am the manager of international sales.)