Questions tagged [sentence-construction]
This tag is used for questions about the proper construction of sentences.
4,904
questions
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1answer
12 views
“say” or “tell” in this context
Teacher: Who can say the multiplication table from 1 to 10.
Or,
Teacher: Who can tell me the multiplication table from 1 to 10.
Which of the two sentences is more appropriate for a teacher to use ...
-1
votes
0answers
33 views
Searching For Same Sentence Pattern
My youngest sister won first prize in the poetry contest.
A. The catamaran drifted slowly onto the shore.
B. Our oldest sister is a chemical engineer for a local firm.
C. The moon seemed brighter ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
Can I express a trend like this?
This city has experienced a decrease of
1% per year in the visibility, a meteorological parameter partly
affected by atmospheric pollution.
I would like to include the parenthetical clause to ...
0
votes
2answers
28 views
Should I say “I spend most of my time on Facebook” or “I spend most of the time on Facebook”?
Should I say "I spend most of my time on Facebook" or "I spend most of the time on Facebook"?
Or both are correct?
0
votes
1answer
20 views
Same Sentence Construction
What following sentence has the same sentence pattern or construction (such as verbs or linking verbs, direct objects, predicate nominatives or adjectives) as the above sentence.
The sun sets in the ...
1
vote
1answer
27 views
Why is there no conjunction in “…symptoms are so slight you do not even know..”?
I have just finished some of my exercises and this sentence really make me confused:
Sometimes the symptoms are so slight you do not even know you have an allergy, and it may take years for an ...
1
vote
1answer
15 views
Construction of sentences
What is the difference between construction of sentences?
He sat at the table and consumed a pie.
At the table he sat and consumed a pie.
0
votes
1answer
16 views
“without a break in the wall”
There is no break in the conversation where you can go: "All right
then" . You know It is just going on and on without a break in the
wall.
(Context: He is complaining about a friend who ...
0
votes
0answers
10 views
Is it correct to say noted about?
please help.
I'd like to reply an email with "noted about the published date". But I doubt is such grammar is correct. Any suggestion?
0
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0answers
17 views
usage of secondary to
"A patient who presented with some infection secondary to procedures done to facilitate to drain CSF." what is the verb in the sentence?
0
votes
1answer
12 views
Passive verb of perception
I do understand the active constructions of verbs of this type, but I am still a bit confused with the passive construction(s). Can anyone here clarify my confusion?
Please consider the following:
He ...
1
vote
1answer
34 views
Is it correct to say “The teacher failed me”?
I've heard this expression on TV several times, but is this correct grammatically? Doesn't it mean that the teacher did not help me in the time of need rather than the teacher gave me an F?
How to ...
0
votes
1answer
11 views
To be, is or was
Sometimes, I make a sentence whose subject can represent something of the past and something that still exists today. Which tense should I use for the helping verb?
For instance:
Any cellphone which (...
1
vote
2answers
39 views
Past tense with used to
This question has been puzzling me for the last two days
He used to work as a doctor when I met him
Is this correct?
1
vote
1answer
23 views
Does this sentence convey the idea and sound natural?
I am translating a text, and I am struggling with this sentence. Does it sound natural and convey the idea?
'You can drive up to one meter close to the tables'
---> with the meaning that you can ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Negative tag-questions
I have a question regarding the question-tag. I hear that the negative question-tag can be made out of the following construction: helping verb + subject + not?
I have a meeting every day, don't I/...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
My house {have/has} no {windows/window}
My house have no windows.
I'm confused with two possible corrections:
1. have or has
2. windows or window
0
votes
2answers
30 views
How to use“ everyone” or “everybody” in a negative sentence with verb “be”?
When checking if all the students are present in a class, may the teacher ask "Is everybody/everyone here today?" or "Is everyone/everybody present today?"
And if not so, must the students reply "No, ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Why is it “swipe to get to know me” instead of just “swipe to know me”?
I was scrolling on the Instagram and I found this random quote there: "swipe to get to know me". Why the "get" verb is on it? We just can say "swipe to know me" or not?
1
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3answers
37 views
How can I choose between using (in) or (on)?
Consider the following example: “In making his choice, Otto Frank had to bear several points in mind.”
You see, there is no particular pattern that helps me decide whether I have to use “on” instead ...
9
votes
3answers
4k views
Word for 'most late'
Latest in English means most recent. Then, how do we say something is 'most late'?
For example, all the candidates for a job receive their interview schedules. I don't exactly know the entire ...
0
votes
2answers
24 views
“Far from” Vs “A long way”
I have no idea if grammatically there is any rule which makes a distinction between using "far from" and "a long way" in positive and negative sentences! Please have a look on my examples below and ...
0
votes
0answers
45 views
The usage of [verb] + ing
What is the corrective sentence? And why?
And when I can use [verb] + ing?
My dog guards my room not letting anyone inside.
Or
My dog guards my room mustn't let any one inside.
-1
votes
1answer
48 views
I am having a doubt
I have a doubt
I am having a doubt
So far as I know have can not be used in the sense of possession.
So I think the second sentence is wrong.
I am having a good time is correct because ...
1
vote
2answers
22 views
Dash against Vs crash into
The car dashed against a tree.
The car crashed into a tree.
I have heard both expressions while listening to the news.
In certain grammar books the first sentence is considered to be wrong and ...
0
votes
2answers
35 views
Correct Use of Get/Got
How we will come to know that he got the documents?
Or
How we will come to know that he gets the documents?
Which one is grammatically correct?
Scenario.
I will have to take action after ...
3
votes
1answer
16 views
Can I use 'strategically situated' in this way?
Singapore is strategically situated off the southern tip of the Malay peninsular, neighboring to Indonesia and
Malaysia with close proximity to major international shipping routes, and ...
2
votes
1answer
29 views
Is “but” an appropriate conjunction in the sentence “This can be graphed using anything, **but** I choose to graph it using Python”?
This post says
This can be graphed using anything, but I choose to graph it using Python.
OXFORD gives this meaning
Used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been ...
1
vote
1answer
42 views
How to introduce the play on stage [on hold]
An annoucer has given a brief description of the play on stage and then announced that the play was to start. How to write that announcement grandiosity. "So... Here it is...." Is a correct ...
0
votes
0answers
36 views
Would vs will in these sentence [duplicate]
It is the thing you will find in real life.
It is the thing you would find in real life.
What is the difference between these 2 sentences?
This is probably because I cannot imagine another situation ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Is it true that if we start a sentence with 'the', this 'the' can be omitted?
The data in Tables 1 were assembled from studies in North
America...
Fluxes shown in Table 1 are different from Tables 2 and 3
because...
Results of the calculations indicate that .... ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Past simple usage in this sentence
"They had to live each day, for a month, as an old person, with hidden cameras to record how other people reacted to them".
Why is past simple used in the end of this sentence?
1
vote
1answer
46 views
Would have usage in this sentence
It was as if I was seeing the young people inside them. Before I would have just seen the wrinkles.
What is the usage of "would have" in these sentences?
Source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Sentence grammar problem about “To” --> “I will help you (To) study English” [duplicate]
Sentence grammar problem, I don't know when should I need to add "To" into a sentence, please help me to give me more information about Tense structure or Grammar architecture feedback, thanks.
...
0
votes
2answers
49 views
When to use “I” or “I am”
I've been having some texting with someone else. None of us are English native speakers, but we are both pretty advanced. She thinks I'm more advanced than her, although I think I just have more ...
2
votes
0answers
34 views
Get well wishes [on hold]
My boss had informed that her son was admitted to the ER. I want to email her to find out how he is doing. It should sound professional but not too formal. How should I enquirer?
0
votes
1answer
37 views
Would usage in this particular sentence
Learning an instrument is not as easy as one would wish.
What is the use of "would" here and what is the meaning of these sentence?
0
votes
1answer
12 views
Question about present simple passive
No answer is given.
It is given as an example.
All items are provided.
It is given as follows.
It is stolen property.
Why is present simple used in these sentence?
It is present simple passive but it ...
0
votes
0answers
9 views
As one would verb
As you would expect, he is currently in coma.
English is not as easy as one would wish.
He reacted to it as one would react.
We would normally use that sentence in this occasion.
Why is "would" used ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
Anyone else vs except / anyone vs except
I am a bit confused about the following two constructions:
1. I do not have anyone EXCEPT you.
2. I do not have anyone ELSE EXCEPT you.
My brother said that they had the same sense, while I insisted ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
Does this clause require an article or not?
I am confused about whether to add an article before clarification or not?
"I asked for clarification on the legal position"
Or
"I asked for a clarification on the legal position"
4
votes
2answers
472 views
What is correct - grape flavor or grapes flavor?
Its very confusing which is correct:
grape flavor or grapes flavor
We had a debate in our office regarding the collective noun - Grapes
As per user3169 [in ELL]: "You should use grapes though, ...
-1
votes
0answers
31 views
Is it correct to say : “things have been changed”?
Is it correct to say : "things have been changed"?
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Question form of I wish
I like basketball.
What do you like?
2 is the question form of 1.
3.I wish English was easy?
Then, what is the question form of 3?
I don't want to get what people wish something was easy as an ...
1
vote
1answer
50 views
Is “will” compulsory for future event?
Here, both sentences indicate a future event.
What is the difference between the two sentences?
The meeting starts at 5 o'clock.
The meeting will start at 5 o'clock.
Is the first ...
0
votes
2answers
29 views
What does this Facebook comment mean: “As a top fan, I don't really have anything to say.”
As a top fan, I don't really have anything to say. I just wrote it to protect my badge.
I saw this joke comment in Facebook comments and I don't understand it.
I can't see how the two clauses relate....
0
votes
1answer
13 views
Describing past action
I would always see him coming to school late with his jeans.
I would always see him coming to school late with his jeans worn.
I would always see him coming to school late while wearing his jeans.
...
0
votes
2answers
14 views
Meaning of ‘in’ in: They had a very fast car to get away in?
What is the meaning of ‘in’ in the sentence:
They had a very fast car to get away in.
I think if there was not ‘in’, the sentence is right too:
They had a very fast car to get away.
So, why ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
What verb form should I use after “and/or”? “are” or “is”?
The sentence is the next:
Item can't be represented in the graphic because its value on X and/or Y aren't defined.
After "X and/or Y" should I use "aren't" or "isn't"?
And if I use "X or Y, or ...
0
votes
2answers
30 views
“on leave from” vs. “on leave on”
A: I will be on leave from 3rd, 4th October.
B: I will be on leave on 3rd, 4th October
Which one is correct?
