Hi,

Is the sentence below grammatically correct? If there are any changes to be done to it, please do.

"In my opinion a degree remains the indispensable key to finding a good job".

There aren't any grammatical changes that need to be made to the sentence, Izzy.

I think, perhaps, that one lexical change might be using diploma, college diploma, or college degree to clarify things a bit.

If this is for British readers, you'd change college to university.

Thanks a lot, Ricahrd.

Hi,

What about this sentence

This is a key to open the door.

see the attachment

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mahdi,

to.bmp (2,916 KB, 5 downloads) to finding

First, let's get our vocabulary right. The verb should be unlock, not open.

This is a great point that you've brought up, Mahdi.

The phrase a/the key to ... has both a literal meaning and a figurative meaning. You've cited a sentence with the literal meaning. When a key to ... is used literally, we explain its function with an infinitive verb as shown in your sentence:

This is a key to unlock the door.

But when we use a key to ... in its figurative meaning (check out http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/key_2, meaning no. 2, to see what this is), we can follow the phrase with a noun or noun phrase

Here is the key to a good marriage.

or with a gerund noun phrase

Here is the key to living a rich, full life.

I hope that stops any confusion, Mahdi. Thanks for bringing this point up!

Crystal clear

Thank a lot Richard


Mahdi

Dear Richard,

Please have a look at the first sentence in the attachment provided by Mahdi.

I wonder why saying the part below is not correct.

...which are devoted to comment...

Also, is there a hard-and-fast rule to know when to should be followed either by an base form or an "ing" form?

We have some verbs like want that require a following verb to be in the infinitive form, Izzy, and to check out whether or not an infinitive is required, you can use the question "What?" For example:

A: What do you want?
B: I want to learn English.

Notice that there's no preposition following want in the question. That's very important to keep in mind.

We also have lots of verbs with allied prepositions, Izzy. That means these verbs always go together with their allied prepositions. Some examples are devote oneself to, interest somebody in, arrest somebody for, etc.

For this answer, though, I want to focus on how those verbs are transformed into past participle adjectives and used together with their allied prepositions or are used in the passive voice since these are the more typical ways they're used: be devoted to, be interested in, be arrested for.

A: What are you devoted to?
B: I'm devoted to making my neighborhood a safe place to live in.

A: What is she interested in?
B: She's interested in reducing environmental pollution.

A: What was he arrested for?
B: He was arrested for robbing a bank.

Notice that each question ends with an allied preposition. Whenever we have a past participle adjective or passive voice form with an allied preposition, we need to use either a noun, a noun phrase, or an -ing verb form after it as you see above.

So that's why the phrase ... which are devoted to comment ... is wrong. Since be devoted to has a past participle adjective with an allied preposition, we need to put the verb comment in the -ing form and say ... which are devoted to commenting ....

Finally, I wish there were a hard-and-fast rule to give you, but there isn't one. You just need to memorize which prepositions are allied with which past participle adjectives or passive voice forms. But use that question beginning with What ...? to help you figure out whether an infinitive is needed in the answer or not.

I hope this helps, my friend.

What you said is so wonderful, Richard. It is really a tip for teaching.

Once again thank you so much for your expertise.

Thanks a lot, Richard.

quote:

I wish there were a hard-and-fast rule to give you, but there isn't one.

What about using what? Wouldn't it be always helpful to check out whether or not an infinitive is required?

Yes, it would be, Izzy. As long as the question beginning with what doesn't end with a preposition, you know that the answer/statement is going to require an infinitive verb.

Here's are more examples:

A: What did she tell you?
B: She told me to clean up my room.

A: I know they're going to the factory to apply for jobs, but what do they expect?
B: They expect to get hired.

Now compare those to these:

A: What are you so excited about?
B: I'm excited about getting a promotion!

A: What was he indicted for?
B: He was indicted for bribing an officer of the court.

Crystal clear.

I add:

What do you need?

I need to go for a walk.

What do you like?

I like to play tennis.

I Thank you all Richard and Izzy about my question.

Mahdi