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January 2021

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to the extent where

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Hello, everyone:) Is "to the extent where" grammatical? I know "to the extent that" is grammatical and on the list of dictionaries. But sometimes I come across sentences using "to the extent where" even in the newspapers though they are a few. For the hybrid concept to gain wide acceptance, to the extent where Honda would benefit from being the market leader, Mr. Clarida said U.S. gasoline prices would have to reach $3 or $4 a gallon, at least twice the current level. (from nytimes) 1) I...Read More...
WinD
Hello David Even though it is late, I really appreciate your detailed reply.Read More...
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use of "haven't"

0 likes · 343 views
Hello, I've come across this sentence: "In sitting here, I haven't a care in the world." I understand that the person is saying that s/he has nothing to worry about. Although, why does s/he say "haven't" instead of "don't have"? I've already seen the use of "haven't" like this. Is it informal? Thank you so much. Best wishes.Read More...
JessyA
Thank you so much to both of you for your clear and enlightening explanations.Read More...
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Into the office and in the office

0 likes · 133 views
We normally say: When I come into the office, I will look at your paper works. Question: What about get back? Do we say get back into the office or get back to the office. e.g. When I get back into/to the office, I will look at your paper works.Read More...
David, Moderator
No, Tony, you can't. First, it is a run-on sentence with a comma-splice error at "moment." Second, you can't have the past tense ("returned") in the "when"-clause and the future tense ("will give") in the main clause. Third, you shouldn't speak of returning into your office, but of returning to your office. You can say: When I return to the office, I will give you a call. When I have returned to the office, I will give you a call.Read More...
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the most

0 likes · 85 views
a. In our group I am the one who eats the most greasy food. Is that sentence ambiguous? I think it could mean 1. In our group I am the one who eats the greatest amount of greasy food. and 2. In our group I am the one who eats the greasiest food. Is that correct? Many thanksRead More...
David, Moderator
Hi, Azz—You're absolutely right. Sentence (a) is ambiguous in precisely that way; it can mean either (1) or (2). Nice observation.Read More...
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New3 replies

Talk&Talking

0 likes · 132 views
I like listening to Dr El Baz (talk_talking). I can't miss a word of his speech. I have come across this sentence in a book. I think the question maker tries to have us choose"talk". Yet, is it OK? If it is OK, What about "listening TO". I think it needs a prepositional phrase. I think "TALK" is OK if we add " 's" to El BazRead More...
David, Moderator
Hi, Wael—I agree with Ahmed's answer. I'd like to add that the most natural option here is to omit "talk"/"talking." Simply say: I like listening to Dr. El Baz. I can't miss a word of his speech. If you say you like listening to someone, the default interpretation will be that you like listening to what he says, not that you like listening to him sing, etc.Read More...
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I was working/worked....

0 likes · 93 views
Are both the following sentences grammatical with 'until'? 1- I was working in the garden for two hours until my father cam from the market. 2- I worked in the garden for two hours until my father cam from the market.Read More...
David, Moderator
Hi, Subhajit—No, only (2) is correct, and the "until"-clause needs to be set off with a comma: "I worked in the garden for two hours, until my father came home from the market." (Notice that "came" also needs to be spelled correctly.) As a general rule, the present progressive doesn't work with "for"-phrases of duration. That is why (1) is incorrect.Read More...
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New2 replies

"may" or "can"

0 likes · 867 views
1) Children of divorced parents may have difficulty with relationships. 2) Children of divorced parents can have difficulty with relationships. Q1) What is the difference between (1) and (2)? Q2) Can I replace "may" with "might" or "could" in (1)?Read More...
Language learner
OK. What I think is: a) Children of divorced parents can have difficulty with relationships. is equivalent to: It is possible for children of divorced parents to have difficulty with relationships. That is, this is what is generally true/possible with "children of divorced parents." This is a statement that might be said by someone who has experienced it in his/her own life, or seen others face it, or may have read or heard about it somewhere (that such children do have difficulty with...Read More...
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another "any" question

0 likes · 86 views
a. Anyone here works hard to make a living. b. Anyone here uses his brains to make a living. c. Anyone here makes a living by using their intelligence. Are the above sentences grammatically correct? I use 'everyone; and not 'anyone'. I don't see a reason why 'anyone' would be wrong, but the sentences do sound a bit strange to me. I know I asked a similar question recently, but I am just making sure. Many thanksRead More...
Gustavo, Co-Moderator
Hi, Azz, I think the sentences above would sound more natural with "can." I also think "anyone" does not mean exactly the same as "everyone," but "any person, not only X," for example: A: I'm the only one here who uses his brains. B: Anyone here can use their brains if they wish, not just you.Read More...
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New4 replies

[I have never seen him that drunk] VS [I had never seen him that drunk]

0 likes · 220 views
Hi, Would you help me out with understanding meanings of B-1 and B-2? If you don't mind, my reasoning is okay? A: He was so drunk that night. B-1: I have never seen him that drunk B-2: I had never seen him that drunk As far as I understand, B-1: I have never seen him that drunk implies Now Person B is saying "I have never seen him that drunk by now (except for that night) (Now I have seen it once) <Graph.> ● He was drunk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(except for that night) / Now. B-2: I had never...Read More...
TaeBbongE
Dear David Thanks so much! I have a very simple question. (I am sorry to bother you.) . As far as I know, Have P.P implies "before" or "by now", but you only shows your sentences with "before". Am I wrong? Because I have seen many times lots of sentences using "have P.P" with "by now". So can I also take your sentences like these? (a) I've never heard that song before (or by now)Read More...
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New2 replies

Onto or To in this Statement

0 likes · 87 views
Me and my friend, are having a grammar debate currently. I would appreciate some third-party input. Is it: X. Has an excessive quantity of make-up applied to his/her/their face Or: X. Has an excessive quantity of make-up applied onto his/her/their face ThanksRead More...
Gustavo, Co-Moderator
I'd like to add, if I may, that "to" and "onto" could be used to refer to the action of applying makeup, not to the state of having makeup already applied. - She applied an excessive quantity of makeup to / onto her face. - She has an excessive quantity of makeup on her face.Read More...
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New1 reply

afraid of or afraid to

0 likes · 605 views
Hi, Mr. David Hi, all After breaking the vase , the child was afraid ( of being punished / of punishing/ to be punished / to punish) I think both ( afraid of being punished and afraid to be punished are correct. What do you think, sir ?Read More...
Gustavo, Co-Moderator
Hi, Dr Ahmed, The structure "afraid to" is mostly used when you are about to do something and you are afraid of it, while "afraid of" is used to express a general fear. On page 27 of this dissertation , the author says: On this basis, "being punished" is not something that depends on the subject's will and, therefore, it would be more appropriate to say: - After breaking the vase , the child was afraid of being punished . Notice this example I produced with both forms: - The child was afraid...Read More...
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might or will

0 likes · 85 views
Hello. Which modal is to use in the following sentence? - He (will - might) help you if you ask him, but I am not sure. Thank you.Read More...
David, Moderator
Hello, Ahmed Imam Attia—Only "might" makes sense in that context, and the sentence would be better with the two clauses in reverse order: I'm not sure [whether he will or not], but he might help you if you ask him.Read More...
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New4 replies

Adverb + Adjective & Adverb + verb

0 likes · 168 views
It is my understanding that an adverb can be used to modify "noun" or "verb". Adverb + Adjective [Adverb that modifies an adjective] e.g. Implausibly small; relatively small Adverb + Verb [Adverb that modifies a verb] e.g. I supposedly work between 9:00am to 5:00pm. Can the adverb be used to modify any other things/used in a different fashion(s)?Read More...
Gustavo, Co-Moderator
I've been thinking that some adverbs can also accompany nouns, for example: - Only John came to the party. - See the paragraph above . - The guy over there is my boss.Read More...
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New1 reply

last

0 likes · 109 views
I would like you to classify them as: a) grammatically correct and idiomatic b) grammatically correct but not idiomatic c) grammatically wrong My reaction is in the brackets. 1 Do you remember when the last time it snowed was? (a) 2 Do you remember when the last time was that it snowed? (b) 3 Do you remember when it was the last time it snowed? (a) 4 Do you remember when it was the last time that it snowed?(b) 5 Do you remember when was the last time that it snowed? (c) 6 Do you remember...Read More...
Gustavo, Co-Moderator
Hi, Me_IV, I'd use (3) or: 7. Do you remember the last time it snowed?Read More...
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Usage of closure

0 likes · 95 views
Should it be " the headmaster brought the meeting to a closure " or " the headmaster brought the meeting to a close " ?Read More...
Gustavo, Co-Moderator
Hello, Hammad khan, and welcome to the Grammar Exchange. The expression is "bring to a close" : - If there are no other issues to discuss, we can bring this meeting to a close . Unlike close , when used with the verb "bring" closure is a non-count noun. Also, bring closure to something means something else, as can be seen in this example: - I felt a sincere conversation would bring closure to our relationship. "bring closure to something" does not mean, like "bring to a close," merely "to...Read More...
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Being rude vs Having been rude

0 likes · 164 views
Hi. Is the D also possible in the following sentence？ I will overlook _____so rude to my sister this time but don't let it happen again B:your being D:you having been If I'm talking about his behavior up to present: I intend to mean "he has been rude to my sister recently", rather than "he is still rude", D works well, right？Read More...
David, Moderator
Hi, Robby zhu—Yes, you can use the perfect or not in that context. It's optional.Read More...
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The cost was low or the cost was inexpensive

0 likes · 117 views
I found this sentence in the New York Times "Copy Edit" quiz #15: "Initially, the cost of playing the game was inexpensive." According to Philip Corbett (the NYT editor who runs the blog column), it is incorrect (according to their style guide) to say "cost is inexpensive". The game can be inexpensive or playing the game can be inexpensive but not the cost. Instead, the writer should have said something like: Initially, the cost of playing the game was low . I have googled trying to find a...Read More...
Gustavo, Co-Moderator
In my view, the restriction has to do with the meaning of "expensive": According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary: Definition of expensive 1 : involving high cost or sacrifice an expensive hobby 2 a : commanding a high price and especially one that is not based on intrinsic worth or is beyond a prospective buyer's means b : characterized by high prices expensive shops Speaking about "expensive prices" would be like saying "prices with a high price." I agree, however, that colloquially one can...Read More...
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