June 2021

3 replies

the speakers are optimistic

Ahmed Imam Attia 6/5/2112:23 PM

0 likes · 74 views

Hello could you please help me with the following question: - Which sentence shows the speakers are optimistic that the project will go ahead. a· I have little doubt that the project had great potential. b. It's odds on that the project will fall flat on its face. c. Barring a miracle, this project is bound to hit the dust almost immediately. d. There's no way this project is going to see the light of day. Thank you.Read More...

ayman 6/9/213:43 AM

Thank you, David. I am really sorry. I made a mistake when I searched the synonyms of 'have little doubt'.Read More...

Updated 6/9/213:43 AM

Last Reply By ayman · First Unread Post

8 replies

Punctuation

Ahmed.A.A 6/5/218:21 AM

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Hi, I think we should use "and" instead of the last comma in the following sentence. "People smoke for many reasons: because they are shy, nervous or don't feel at ease in society, to appear sophisticated and older, to be part of a group."Read More...

David, Moderator 6/8/218:39 PM

The elements of the list following the colon are not grammatically parallel. This would work: People smoke for many reasons: to be more outgoing or less nervous , to feel at ease in society , to appear sophisticated or older , to be part of a group , etc.Read More...

Updated 6/8/218:39 PM

Last Reply By David, Moderator · First Unread Post

3 replies

Along the line

Cristi 6/5/216:18 AM

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Do I say, something along the line or something along those lines. Are there any differences?Read More...

David, Moderator 6/8/218:33 PM

Hi, Cristi—Unfortunately, your example contains many grammatical errors and is a multiple-run-on sentence. Ignoring the many errors we could talk about and going straight to your question, I will say that you can use " something along those lines " or " something along that line " but not " something along the line ."Read More...

Updated 6/8/218:33 PM

Last Reply By David, Moderator · First Unread Post

2 replies

so much as

ilko mitrikov 6/6/211:09 PM

0 likes · 85 views

Is this sentence correct ? I turned the lights on so much as to see who was there . Is this sentence correct ?Read More...

David, Moderator 6/8/218:20 PM

Hi, Ilko—No, that sentence is not correct. You seem to be trying to say this: I turned the lights on bright enough to see who was there.Read More...

Updated 6/8/218:20 PM

Last Reply By David, Moderator · First Unread Post

1 reply

Singular VS Plural

GBLSU 6/6/217:48 AM

0 likes · 72 views

I don't understand why the verb is singular. The subject of the sentence, 'rate,' looks wrong to me. Could you explain why the subject is not ' rates,' which is plural ? Can I say like 1) ? 1) both male and female internet usage rates were' (Original) Among the five regions, both male and female internet usage rate was the highest in Europe, accounting for 83% and 76% respectively. [original]Read More...

David, Moderator 6/8/218:08 PM

Hi, GBLSU—The original sentence is ungrammatical. "Both rate" is incorrect. We can say "both rates." If we do, and if the phrase is the subject of a clause, the verb will need to show plural agreement. As you have observed, "both rates were" works just fine.Read More...

Updated 6/8/218:08 PM

Last Reply By David, Moderator · First Unread Post

2 replies

Object pronouns

Ahmed towab 6/5/216:05 AM

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Would you kindly explain the structure of this sentence ( So, I decided to follow them without them seeing me) ? I mean the object pronoun ( them) followed by the gerund. I expect it to be ( without their seeing me)Read More...

David, Moderator 6/8/217:54 PM

Hi, Ahmed towab—Both constructions are grammatically correct, as you can hopefully tell from Ayman's spray of grammar-book quotations, some of which point out that the one with the possessive is the more formal of the two constructions. In case you'd like to conduct technical research on the syntax of the two constructions, syntacticians label the construction with the possessive the Poss-ing construction and the construction with the accusative/objective-case pronoun the Acc-ing...Read More...

Updated 6/8/217:54 PM

Last Reply By David, Moderator · First Unread Post

5 replies

"than" and "compared"

marcofabri 6/8/216:12 AM

0 likes · 67 views

Hi, I am in doubt the use of than or compared. I used "than" to combine it with the word "lower" and I used "compared" to combine with the word "reduced". Both grammar constructions are correct? 1-CR 18 had a lower liver weight than AL18 but a similar liver/ body weight ratio. 2-CR 18 had a reduced liver weight compared to AL18 but a similar liver/ body weight ratio.Read More...

marcofabri 6/8/213:24 PM

Thank you GustavoRead More...

Updated 6/8/213:24 PM

Last Reply By marcofabri · First Unread Post

2 replies

wish

Ahmed.A.A 6/8/219:38 AM

0 likes · 64 views

Hi, 1-"I wish my brother would return tomorrow, my mother...... be happy." a- will b- would I think (would) is correct, yet one of the books chooses (will). I think we can use (will) if we use a fullstop instead of the comma. "I wish my brother would/could return tomorrow. My mother WILL be happy."Read More...

Ahmed.A.A 6/8/211:38 PM

Thank you AhmedRead More...

Updated 6/8/211:38 PM

Last Reply By Ahmed.A.A · First Unread Post

2 replies

Reported Speech

Ahmed.A.A 6/8/214:19 AM

0 likes · 72 views

Hi, "He said that iron......float on water." a- doesn't b- didn't I think both answers are OKRead More...

Ahmed.A.A 6/8/211:30 PM

Thanks AhmedRead More...

Updated 6/8/211:30 PM

Last Reply By Ahmed.A.A · First Unread Post

1 reply

must & have to

Ahmed.A.A 6/8/214:49 AM

0 likes · 43 views

Hi, 1-"Students.......follow the school rules." a- must b- have to I think (must) is correct because it refers to a general rule or a law that ALL students must follow. But we can say: 2-"The students have to follow the school rules." Here it is specific.Read More...

ahmed_btm 6/8/2112:22 PM

Hi, Ahmed, Yes, both are grammatically correct. For a similar question, see David's opinion here: https://thegrammarexchange.inf...opic/must-vs-have-to BTW, why did you add 'the' in '2'?Read More...

Updated 6/8/2112:22 PM

Last Reply By ahmed_btm · First Unread Post

6 replies

Passive

Ahmed.A.A 6/6/2112:20 AM

0 likes · 103 views

Hi, where does (by + the agent) come in the passive? Which is correct: a- "The cake was made for the party by Sara." b- "The cake was made by Sara for the party." I think both answers are OK.Read More...

Ahmed.A.A 6/8/2111:46 AM

Thanks AhmedRead More...

Updated 6/8/2111:46 AM

Last Reply By Ahmed.A.A · First Unread Post

1 reply

Compare A with B

Etsummer 6/8/216:14 AM

0 likes · 45 views

Hello. I read sentence like following in in exam question. “Comparing results from rats given the positive reinforcement with those that were not given, it becam clear that ~~.” In the sentence, I think the phrase ‘results from’ is needed in front of ‘those’. What do you think of this?Read More...

deepcosmos 6/8/216:24 AM

Hello, Etsummer, Since your question is exactly the same as mine issued a few days ago, please refer to the previous post well explained by Mr.Gustavo ; https://thegrammarexchange.inf...6#673208087061698316Read More...

Updated 6/8/216:24 AM

Last Reply By deepcosmos · First Unread Post

2 replies

too much or so much

Ahmed.A.A 6/8/212:14 AM

0 likes · 57 views

Hi, "I have .......much time left." a- too b-so I think both answers are correct because "so" and "too" can be followed by (much, many, little or few) before nouns.Read More...

Ahmed.A.A 6/8/214:51 AM

Thanks AhmedRead More...

Updated 6/8/214:51 AM

Last Reply By Ahmed.A.A · First Unread Post

4 replies

"the reduced relative clause" in cleft sentence

deepcosmos 6/6/2111:32 PM

0 likes · 74 views

Hello, everyone, Imagining how a stranger might act makes it possible for you to think of more radical and imaginative ideas than you might be used to, simply because it's not you acting them out, but someone else you're watching . *source:...Read More...

deepcosmos 6/7/216:25 PM

Thanks a lot, Gustavo!Read More...

Updated 6/7/216:25 PM

Last Reply By deepcosmos · First Unread Post

1 reply

I spent an incredibly boring (and expensive) two weeks in "paradise.

hope 6/7/218:19 AM

0 likes · 37 views

Hi everyone, The following extract is taken from a book published by Oxford University Press (I have attached the screenshot of this part of the book. You can have a look at it if you like) Everywhere I looked, I saw couples holding hands and looking romantically into each other's eyes! The travel agent also said it was always sunny there - but the weather was terrible - it was cloudy and windy. To pass the time, I decided to take a diving course (one of my lifetime ambitions). But it was a...Read More...

Gustavo, Co-Moderator 6/7/213:05 PM

Hi, Hope, Yes, you can say that because "two weeks" is like a unit. The noun "period" or "stay" is implicit: I spent an incredibly boring (and expensive) two-week period in paradise / I had an incredibly boring (and expensive) two-week stay in paradise.Read More...

Updated 6/7/213:05 PM

Last Reply By Gustavo, Co-Moderator · First Unread Post

2 replies

nor

Ahmed.A.A 6/7/219:21 AM

0 likes · 52 views

Hi, "He can't speak French nor......speak German." a- can he b- he can c-can't he I think (a) is correctRead More...

Ahmed.A.A 6/7/211:33 PM

Thanks AhmedRead More...

Updated 6/7/211:33 PM

Last Reply By Ahmed.A.A · First Unread Post

2 replies

neither...nor

Ahmed.A.A 6/7/219:27 AM

0 likes · 54 views

Hi, "He doesn't play tennis. He doesn't watch its matches." This means..... a-Neither does he play tennis nor does he watch its matches b-He neither plays tennis nor watches its matches I think (a) is correctRead More...

Ahmed.A.A 6/7/211:32 PM

Thanks AhmedRead More...

Updated 6/7/211:32 PM

Last Reply By Ahmed.A.A · First Unread Post

2 replies

"In" or "of"

marcofabri 6/7/216:02 AM

0 likes · 61 views

Hi, I am in doubt about the use of "in" or "of" in the sentence below: Effects of 50% caloric restriction from birth on organ weights of/in 18-month-old rats. ThanksRead More...

marcofabri 6/7/2112:56 PM

Thank you GustavoRead More...

Updated 6/7/2112:56 PM

Last Reply By marcofabri · First Unread Post

4 replies

Is the verb proceed followed by gerund or to infinitive

Tony C 6/4/212:01 AM

0 likes · 1,832 views

Hi, Is the verb proceed followed by gerund or to infinitive e.g. Once we hear from you, we will consider your response and proceed to making/make decision. Thanks!Read More...

ahmed_btm 6/7/215:08 AM

Hi, Tony, 'Proceed with' means to continue with an activity that has already been started. 'Proceed to' is used with an act not previously started. See here: https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc...ge=9vWMJdUSNVaQ.html In your example, I think 'proceed to' works well.Read More...

Updated 6/7/215:08 AM

Last Reply By ahmed_btm · First Unread Post

2 replies

“compare A with B”

deepcosmos 6/5/212:06 AM

0 likes · 526 views

Hello, everyone, While working as a research fellow at Harvard, B. F. Skinner carried out a series of experiments on rats, using an invention that later became known as a “Skinner box.” A rat was placed in one of these boxes, which had a special bar fitted on the inside. Every time the rat pressed this bar, it was presented with food. The rate of bar-pressing was automatically recorded. Initially, the rat might press the bar accidentally, or simply out of curiosity, and as a consequence...Read More...

deepcosmos 6/6/213:21 PM

Hi, Gustavo, You're always providing us such nice explanations.Read More...

Updated 6/6/213:21 PM

Last Reply By deepcosmos · First Unread Post

1 reply

He was jailed five years ago and can be released next year.

Language learner 6/5/215:34 AM

0 likes · 55 views

1) He was jailed five years ago and can be released next year . 2) He was jailed five years ago and could be released next year . Are they both correct/natural? If so, what is the difference between them?Read More...

Gustavo, Co-Moderator 6/6/2110:27 AM

Hi, Language learner, Both are correct. The only difference is that "can" entails more certainty than "could," which is hypothetical: 1'. He was jailed five years ago and is in a position to / is eligible to / meets the requirements to be released next year . 2'. He was jailed five years ago and would be in a position to / would be eligible to / would meet the requirements to be released next year . (You could add "presumably" to emphasize the idea that, far from being a fact, this is merely...Read More...

Updated 6/6/2110:27 AM

Last Reply By Gustavo, Co-Moderator · First Unread Post

2 replies

Help or Helping?

OverlyCurious 6/5/215:23 PM

0 likes · 611 views

Could the word "help" be used instead of "helping" in this sentence? Would the meaning be the same either way? This is where I found the sentence: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/18/leonardo-dicaprio-pledges-43m-to-restore-the-galapagos-islands I think both work since helping is in the future continuous form and is talking about money that will be used in the future and continue for an expected length of time. Help is a verb that can also be used for the future when used...Read More...

OverlyCurious 6/6/219:00 AM

Hello Gustavo! I appreciate the help. I understand what you mean. Thank you very much!Read More...

Updated 6/6/219:00 AM

Last Reply By OverlyCurious · First Unread Post

4 replies

Pronoun VS Relative Pronoun

GBLSU 6/5/216:47 AM

0 likes · 93 views

The Knowledge Illusion: Why We Never Think Alone - Steven Sloman, Philip Fernbach First one looks right and I understand the structure, but I wonder whether it is grammatically correct to replace ' without whom' with 'without them' in this sentence? 1. Scientists not only have labs with students who contribute critical ideas, but also have colleagues who are doing similar work, thinking similar thoughts, and without whom the scientist would get nowhere. (Original) 2 Scientists not only have...Read More...

GBLSU 6/6/217:50 AM

I understand. Thank you.Read More...

Updated 6/6/217:50 AM

Last Reply By GBLSU · First Unread Post

3 replies

mustn't talk, shouldn't have talked

Ahmed Imam Attia 6/5/211:38 PM

0 likes · 84 views

Hello. Which one is correct or both are? - The boy is very rude. He .......... to his mother that way. a- mustn't talk b- shouldn't have talked Thank you.Read More...

ahmed_btm 6/6/215:54 AM

Hi, Ahmed, Yes, you are right. ' Should not ' also sounds quite natural here. Now, why is the model answer ' shouldn't have talked '? Maybe the author falsely thought that 'that way' is connected with the past and would sound better with 'should have talked'.Read More...

Updated 6/6/215:54 AM

Last Reply By ahmed_btm · First Unread Post

4 replies

In this case vs. In that case

Fay 6/3/219:54 PM

0 likes · 66 views

Hi - would appreciate an explanation why 'in which case' is the correct answer. Thx Fay You may not like the new rules, in which case / in that case you can lodge your concerns with admin.Read More...

Fay 6/5/217:57 PM

Brilliant Gustavo. Your response also prompted me to review Azar's point on how 'which' is used to modify the whole sentence. All the pieces are in place now. Much thanks. FayRead More...

Updated 6/5/217:57 PM

Last Reply By Fay · First Unread Post

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