Questions tagged [sentence-construction]
This tag is used for questions about the proper construction of sentences.
606
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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1
answer
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Why are articles sometimes NOT used before common nouns?
Take a sentence like:
'Excellent lady that she was, Lady Gigabytes invited us over for dinner.'
Or:
'Lady Gigabytes (excellent lady that she was) invited us over for dinner.'
What both these sentences ...
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2
votes
2
answers
49
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Why is Past Perfect used here?
This is an excerpt from "The Moon and Sixpence", by W Somerset Maugham, the very beginning of chapter 18:
had this in my workbook as an example of a specific use of past perfect (the use i ...
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2
votes
1
answer
34
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Should I use type or type of in this sentence
1. I must condemn your criminal type mentality.
2. I must condemn your criminal type of mentality.
Which one is grammatically correct and preferable?
Can I use kind of in the place of type of?
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3
answers
138
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"This computer is for you to attend lectures" instead of "*This computer is to attend lectures."
I learned that you use "for -ing" and not a 'to' infinitive when you want to say the purpose of a tool, but I am not so sure about it.
People told me I should say:
This computer is for you ...
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2
votes
2
answers
110
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How do I ask this question?
"Jack'll come tomorrow", she told Rose in the morning.
What does it mean if I ask "When did she tell Rose Jack would come?".
'Tomorrow' and 'the morning' are the two times in the first statement. ...
2
votes
2
answers
247
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"Could not but" in interrogative sentence
Is the following sentence grammatically correct to write in literature?
How could I not but close my eyes?
As "I could not but close my eyes" is a valid sentence, I felt like this one should also ...
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2
votes
2
answers
109
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Extended indirect structures
I've noticed a lot of native speakers struggle to use the indirect forms, in that they stick to the incorrect inversed structure when forming a simple informative sentence. For instance, while ...
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2
votes
1
answer
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'immediately before', 'right before' and 'just before'
What is the difference (if any) between immediately before, right before and just before ?
What is the most suitable one to use in this sentence:
The paragraph ..... before the image.
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2
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1
answer
283
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When are words like "that" and "the" unnecessary?
There are several cases where "the" and "that" are completely unnecessary for the understanding of a sentence. So, I want to know when they are unnecessary and why.
For instance, in “She told me that ...
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votes
1
answer
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"What is the opposite word for X?" Is the sentence correct?
I always use:
What is the opposite of X ?
But today I came across:
What is the opposite word for X ?
Are the both grammatical?
Thank you.
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2
votes
1
answer
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Sentence structure -"It..That"
There are 3 sentences that I'd like to know more deeply. The sentence structure that I'm trying to talk about is "is..that.." sentence pattern like "It is essential that we start ...
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2
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What are the differences between these compound adjectives? Shoe in the shape of slipper/ Shoe shaped like slipper/ Slipper-shaped shoe
I wanted to know the difference between these three phrases ( Shoe in the shape of slipper/ Shoe shaped like slipper/ Slipper-shaped shoe ) and why the third one is the right answer in the following ...
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0
answers
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<in the song of "beat it",> <in the movie of Doom> VS <in the song "beat it",> <in the movie Doom"
I know that we can say "In the song 'Beat It'" or "In the movie 'Doom'" like in
I love the guitar solo in the song "Beat It"
In the movie Doom, there is no part that ...
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1
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0
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46
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How can I use reporting verbs
My sentence from a grammar site is "At least 6 people are believed to have been killed in a shooting rampage". Will there be any difference if I turn it into:
There are believed to have ...
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1
vote
0
answers
44
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Framing a sentence for a short meeting
"Could we connect for a short meeting?"
Is this sentence correct or could it be phrased in a better way? The intention is to send this message to someone and do a zoom meeting. I feel there ...
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1
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0
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33
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Can I omit the second "if"?
*Check if the value is within the specified range and (if) there are no cracks in the product.
Do I need to write if twice in this case?
*Check if there is no dirt on the surface and if there is no ...
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1
vote
1
answer
53
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In this sentence, due to or because of
In this sentence, due to or because of:
The energy difference between them is small because of the low electrical field in A compared to B
The energy difference between them is small due to the low ...
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1
vote
0
answers
65
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How to rewrite 'she sings like a bird'
She sings like a bird.
If I want to rewrite this sentence using 'as' what would be the appropriate sentence?
1.She sings as a bird does.
2.She sings, as a bird does.
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vote
1
answer
69
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My teacher says "is stronger and more enduring" changed the meaning. How can I write the sentence without changing the meaning?
The instructions for a grammar exercise were to correct the following sentence:
The camel has as much strength and more endurance than the horse.
Suggestions to correct the sentence:
The camel has ...
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0
answers
41
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Does the use of the em dash work here? Should there be a comma after the second em dash?
Presenting two main aspects of her practice—slow art and language—this exhibition is a coalescence of her enthralment with everyday marvels and her fascination with the intricacies and nuances of ...
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0
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What does "enfeoffment of a right to tax people" mean in this context?
It has to be remembered that the kingdom of Sweden had no real system
of enfeoffment. It was not the peasants themselves as vassals who were
enfeoffed, but the right to tax them. In central and ...
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2
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269
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Is the sentence he has been in Delhi for three years present perfect tense
Let's take a sentence.
He has been in Delhi for three years.
What is the meaning of this sentence? He moved to Delhi 3 years ago and still he is there right? Now what if I consider this sentence to be ...
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0
answers
41
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Second conditional?
A: If the sentence didn’t include the word “please”, the sentence would suggest I am a rude person. (The context is that the sentence includes the word “please” so the sentence doesn’t suggest I am a ...
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1
vote
1
answer
256
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Can I omit the relative pronoun from this non defining clause
Ram, whom I called yesterday, is a very good boy.
Can this sentence be reduced to:
Ram, I called yesterday, is a very good boy.
My confusion arose after I saw somewhere that the relative pronoun can't ...
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1
vote
1
answer
70
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I'm so confused whether these clauses can be reduced or not
We know that defining relative clauses can be reduced. Let's look at some examples.
The boy whom I called yesterday knows you.
= The boy I called yesterday knows you. (The relative pronoun is ...
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vote
2
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118
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Preposition "of " for boring or without it
My friend: hey ! What's up?
Me : nothing, i'm bored of waiting for favorite show's new episodes.
Friend : Oh, when are they going to air it on tv ?
Me: there's still a month for that
Friend: that ...
1
vote
2
answers
51
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Usage of "rather"
What's the difference between following sentence:
She kept herself rather to herself in her own pantry.
and
She rather kept herself to herself in her own pantry.
Are there some omitted words in ...
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1
vote
0
answers
26
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Correct usage of only
I read this rule somewhere:
Only can be used before a verb though it may put emphasis on a noun used later in the sentence
Is it true? For example, is this sentence correct?
Although he only earns ...
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1
vote
0
answers
23
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How to write "from among these [items], we discuss..." correctly?
I'm struggling with the correct way to express myself here. Suppose I have a list of items in one sentence. In the next sentence, I want to express that I select some of these to talk about in detail. ...
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1
vote
3
answers
83
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using it as a second subject
Is the following sentence correct? I think grammatically we should get rid of "it".
He was in a quandary about which selection from his extensive repertoire it would be feasible to perform ...
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vote
0
answers
40
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Using imperative form as a Product Feature
I am preparing my RGB Keyboard Product's features. Is it okay to use imperative form? and Are the following sentences correct?
Change the colors from the app on the phone by connecting via Bluetooth.
...
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1
vote
0
answers
131
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Plural or Singular form for fruit names
I have a question regarding fruit names. When writing about fruit, I'm confused about which form I should use – singular or plural. I'm not even sure if they are actually count nouns or mass nouns or ...
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0
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44
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"...but it looks an impossible task."
Firefighters are working hard to stop the fire, but it looks an
impossible task.
Hi. Is the emboldened part acceptable or will I need a few more words?
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1
vote
0
answers
22
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How to frame a question using "At the earliest"?
Is the following question grammatically correct?
At the earliest, when do we need to provide feedback?
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vote
0
answers
41
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A shorter way to indicate “living in luxury”
I hate......... I exercise moderation…It will be easy to forget your vision and purpose one you have fine clothes, fast horses and beautiful women. [In which case], you will be no better than a slave, ...
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1
vote
0
answers
28
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What is the correct sentence?
1)Is there any way to check whether my letter has been received?
2)Is there any way to check whether my letter was received?
3)Is there any way to check if my letter was received?
I sent a letter a ...
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1
vote
1
answer
69
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Surrender or we (will) storm the building
This is your last chance. Surrender or we (will) storm the building.
Can this be said without "will", and if so would it be natural?
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0
answers
32
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Taking the conversation furher?
I want to tell the employees in my company that I don't want them to chat about some subjects at our work website. And also that I dont want them to go other platforms either to talk about this (like ...
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vote
0
answers
438
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“Around here somewhere” or “Somewhere around here”
Imagine someone has lost something and he/she is anxiously looking for it everywhere. you as a witness of the whole story decide to cool them down. You are going to ask them not be worried just ...
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1
vote
0
answers
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Can I use a non-defining and defining clause for the same noun?
I'm curious if I can use a non-defining and defining clause/phrase in a row for the same noun in a sentence.
For instance,
I sold the ring, an expensive one, that I bought a few years ago. (I intend ...
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0
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62
views
is that correct to use "local residents" in the below sentence?
I'd like to say
they only provide their services to people in the same country that
their company is located.
Is that correct to use "local residents" instead of above sentence?
they only ...
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vote
2
answers
81
views
Which verbs are used with the conjunction "and" in my example sentence?
I have a sentence in my job descriptions as below:
Assess seriousness of each case, select external service providers (e.g. surveyors) to participate in investigation and achieve expected outcomes in ...
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0
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319
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I'm reading a book or I've been reading a book? Implying I started some days ago
I saw a similar question, but I'm not content with the answers, i.e. it's still unclear.
It looks like both options are appropriate here, since for present perfect continuous can be applied to an ...
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0
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24
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"I would make sure your future {will/would} be bright" - what is the difference?
What is the difference between these two sentences?
I would make sure your future will be bright.
I would make sure your future would be bright.
I understand that the first would signify conditions ...
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0
answers
47
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I didn't expect "verb"
How can I express the idea with accuracy in the situation: I had thought that something would be easy to do but the result literally exceeded my expectations.
Which sentence would be more accurate to ...
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1
vote
0
answers
57
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Reported speech with two parts
When we turn direct reported speech into indirect reported speech, the rules are different depending on whether the speech is an imperative or a statement.
Direct: He told her "Turn right at the ...
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1
vote
1
answer
517
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Can you say "the events of yesterday?"
While reading through my writing, I noticed that I wrote: "During the events of yesterday..." because it fit the narrative. The phrase, however, made me wonder whether it's correct. When I ...
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0
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word usage - clear and understandable
Consider the scenario where I am explaining a math solution to a student.
Now to check if he understands it I could ask -
Is this clear
Is this understandable?
Are the above two sentences correct to ...
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2
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As was he/As if he was
He's mingling around flirting with girls as was he James Bond.
He's mingling around flirting with girls as if he was James Bond.
Which one is correct? (if any of them)
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0
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What's grammar of "the reasonable satisfaction of both parties " in the text?
Express terms are set out and stipulated expressly in the contract.
For example: The Seller will within a period of 6 months from the date
of delivery of Goods, where Goods which are proved to the ...
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