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We usually say "dated" without the preposition. So, for example, "This newspaper is dated June 6, 1944." As for how to actually write the date, there are many different styles. In the U.S. we usually write the month first and then the date, but in most other places the date is written first. Whether to write the date in words or numbers only depends on the context. And we don't have to write "dated" before the date, say wen we are signing a document or contract. We just sign our name and...Read More...

I disagree that any of these sentences in (2) can replace (1). (1) levels of cortisol are continually high in the body (2) a. the body is continually high in (levels of) cortisol Saying the cortisol levels are high and that the body is high in cortisol are not the same. In the first, it means that the cortisol levels are higher (than usual) but they can still be 1 part in a million or billion of the body - or some other very small part of the body. The second phrasing means that a large part...Read More...

I'd prefer: They were divided into 2 groups : A and B.Read More...

Good question, Joan. And believe it or not, all your possible sentences are correct. "I have a message for people who are/were delayed by the traffic chaos." The people are in the state of delay now, or they were in a state of delay at a past time. So both 'are' and 'were' are fine. OR " I have a message for people who are/were being delayed by the traffic chaos." in sentence 1? The people are very definitely in the middle of being delayed at the moment. Because the verb is 'be,' the...Read More...

[quote]6. Driving downtown to the stadium for the baseball game was easy. We got there quickly because there was _LITTLE____ traffic. Because 'traffic' is a noncount noun, your choices are limited to 'little' or 'a little.' This sentences shows that there was ONLY A LITTLE traffic. To express ONLY A LITTLE, we use LITTLE. It means not very much, or less than expected. _______ 16. He's a lucky little boy. Because his parents have taken good care of him, he has had FEW problems in his young...Read More...

Yes, they are all correct. You can also say: James is asking Jenny for a favor. James is asking for a favor from Jenny. All mean the same thing.Read More...

Hi, Mehrdad.You said they mean the same thing. Are they the same in that they are both intended to direct the speaker's action?Read More...

It is generally OK to say either "the way" or "in the way," but here I would prefer "the way." And yes, it is an adverb phrase as you said.Read More...

Dear friend, Thanks a lot for your explanation. I guess I've got an idea - if newspapers disappeared from our life, the world would look like a motionless picture. To make sure if it's right you may want to follow this link and see the short clip on Youtube: Are newspapers history?Read More...

Hello, Kis: Do you mean: Do you need a ride/car (while you are) at home? In my American English, 'ride' would definitely not be OK here, nor even understood as 'car.' So no, 'ride home' could not be used in your sentence. It may be that the sentence would be understood in other Englishes, though. But I am not sure.Read More...

Thank you so much for all insightful answersRead More...

Hi Navi I'd say all of them are acceptable and in use. To me, the difference is one of focus. In sentence 1, the word 'more' seems more connected to the verb -- i.e. the idea is 'more reading'. In sentence 2, the word 'more' is more directly connected to the word 'books' -- i.e. more books.Read More...

(a) She teaches English to year - 6 pupils. Note that I've added a hyphen. 6th-year pupils would be even better. (b) The log is floating in the river. We can sometimes say that something floats on water, but I think in is better here. Perhaps because logs ride rather low in the water. A leaf or small boat float on water. (c) Ice skating is her hobby. OK She likes ice skating as her hobby. (d) (i) The firemen put out the fire at the houses. (ii) The firemen put out the fire at the burning...Read More...

This has been discussed several times in GE. Traditionally, one died OF an internal cause (old age, sickness, etc.) but died FROM an external cause (wounds, an accident, etc.). Some of these distinctions are no longer followed, especially with diseases. Both DIE OF and DIE FROM a disease are commonly used. Here are links to the most relevant discussions in GE. Read them all to get the full picture. http://thegrammarexchange.info...191049634#6191049634...Read More...

Hello, Navi: I feel that sentence 1) is the question that you want. In 1), ‘that’ refers to the entire question beginning with ‘should.’ ‘Not’ modifies ‘change.’ So the sentence clearly indicates that trying will not make any difference. Sentence 2) is the same, but less formal and more conversational. As well as in sentence 1), in sentence 2) ‘that’ refers to the question and ‘not’ modifies the verb. I can hear sentence 2) being spoken normally, but sentence 1) is clearer, and you would...Read More...

Thank you so much, Rachel.Read More...

Thank you, Amy! I just thought that the subject and the verb should be matched. Now I get it clearly. Thank you again!Read More...

Hi Lakesuperior, I'd say both are acceptable, however my inclination would be this: - We both have gold pencils. - Each of us has a gold pencil.Read More...

Hi Vincent I would not use any of those. I'd say ' an ear of corn '.Read More...

Hi Coco, That's possible, but I'd usually say 'clear up' rather than just 'clear' in such a context. I'd be more likely to use just 'clear' this way, for example: - The sky is clearing.Read More...

I agree with Rachel that we sometimes switch the possessive adjectives in a narrative. Sometimes it's a matter of who is listening. When my siblings and nieces and nephews are listening, for example, I have to clarify if "grandma" refers to my mother (nieces & nephews' grandmother) or my own grandmother (nieces'/nephews' great grandmother). Though this is not quite the same situation as what M.T. is asking about. At the other end of the spectrum, I have one sister who consistently says...Read More...

Yes, Navi, it certainly seems that 'my tie' refers to the speaker's only tie. The sentence seems unnatural this way, but maybe in the unusual circumstance of someone's owning only one tie, the sentence might be spoken. I think you want 'a tie,' right?Read More...

Thank you both for your help! leopoldRead More...

That's exactly what I thought at first. But "besides" can appear where "but", "except" and "than" can, as in (3). (3) She wants to learn other languages [ besides / but / except / than] English and French. And in one of her own examples, Rachel interprets "besides" in the sense of "with the exception of": (4) What can I do besides / except / but watch TV? cf. in addition to; also Do you play any other sports besides football and basketball ? ( CALD ) Of course, (4) could mean a rhetorical...Read More...

I think this is an interesting example: Here the word "dog" (used twice) lacks the article we usually expect it to be accompanied by. The only function the word has is to denote a type (or class). Seiichi MYOGARead More...