Messages

46

You Asked Me This Question / I hope you answer or I hope you will answer

« on: November 04, 2011, 12:32:39 PM »

Thank you so much for your quick reply! Your explanation was really helpful. You have again cleared my mind of another English language-related confusion. You see, this forum helps English language learners like me in ways more than one. Visiting this forum always gives me boosted confidence in my use of English in speech and in writing. Please look forward to more puzzling questions from me. And as you always do, I hope you will take time (or take "the time"?) to answer them. Thanks again!

47

You Asked Me This Question / I hope you answer or I hope you will answer

« on: November 03, 2011, 07:50:40 PM »

Hi, Joe!

Is there any difference between these two sentences?
1. I hope you will change your mind.
2. I hope you change your mind.

Also, is it wrong to say "file an annulment"? Is the correct phrase "file for an annulment"? Or are both phrases acceptable?

48

You Asked Me This Question / Get a chance vs get the chance

« on: July 18, 2011, 10:17:07 AM »

Hi, Joe!

I always see and hear the phrases "get a chance" and "get the chance" interchangeably used in TV, print, and radio ads, for example:

A. Get a chance to win an iPod 4 for a minimum purchase of P5,000 at SM Appliance Center.
B. Get the chance to win an iPod 4 for a minimum purchase of P5,000 at SM Appliance Center.

Are both sentences correct?

49

You Asked Me This Question / Can the indefinite article a(n) be used with uncountable/abstract nouns?

« on: June 21, 2011, 08:43:26 PM »

Hi, Joe!

I read the latest essay you posted in the Forum titled "A sorry trail of wasted words," and some parts of that essay brought me another confusion about the English language.

I always thought that uncountable/abstract nouns like jewelry, news, information, beauty, anger, etc. can't be preceded by the indefinite article a/an. But I recently read in an English grammar and usage book that uncountable nouns can occur with the indefinite article when they follow an adjective as with this sentence: "There's a terrible sadness in her eyes." Is this sentence correct? Can I also construct similar sentences with other uncountable nouns like information and scenery? But sentences like "I have an amazing news for you" and "I'll show you a very beautiful jewelry" don't sound and look right to me.

But you did use the indefinite article with some uncountable/abstract nouns in your essay. Here are the sentences I'm referring to:

Some stock phrases in English are inherently undesirable because they are too wordy and only tend to give a false depth and emphasis to what is being said.

Of course, the problem can be remedied by simply dropping the extraneous words in the repeater phrase, but we need to cultivate a strong sensitivity to the repetition that often hides so well in such phrases.

Your sentences seem all right to me, but the other examples I presented don't. Why is that? Aren't all the nouns I used in my examples and the ones you used in your essay in the same category? Please help me understand.

50

Use and Misuse / Re: Singular vs. Plural Nouns

« on: June 21, 2011, 08:13:24 PM »

Thanks for your answers, Joe! They were a great help! I've only been a member of this forum for over a week, but I have already cleared my mind of a lot of confusing things about the English language that even my English teachers failed to explain to me correctly. I also have a favor to ask of you. If you spot grammar errors in my posts, please feel free to correct them. I promise I won't take offense. Thanks again for your prompt reply! 

51

Use and Misuse / Re: Singular vs. Plural Nouns

« on: June 17, 2011, 01:44:05 AM »

Thanks for quickly responding to my post. I appreciate all your answers. I am still a tad confused, though. No, I'm still confused. I've encountered the following sentences, and I'm wondering if the singular nouns in them could also or should be in the plural:

1. Should women take their husband's last name? (Would it also be correct to write "Should women take their husbands' last names?"?)
2. Good liars are often skilled at staring into their questioner's eyes. (Wouldn't it be better to change questioner's eyes to questioners' eyes to make it agree to the main subject of the sentence "good liars"?)

I don't know if I'm just complicating things here, but I'm really confused. I hope you still respond. Thank you in advance! :-)

52

Use and Misuse / Singular vs. Plural Nouns

« on: June 15, 2011, 09:41:17 PM »

Hi, Joe!

I'm a new member of your Forum, and I'm hoping you can help me with my confusion about the English language.

Can you tell me what the differences, if any, between these sentences are:
A1. We are the masters of our own DESTINY.
A2. We are the masters of our own DESTINIES.

B1. People with diabetes can still have A NORMAL SEX LIFE.
B2. People with diabetes can still have NORMAL SEX LIVES.

Is there a difference in meaning between the sentences in each set? Or are the sentences completely the same? My confusion lies in what form of noun to use: the plural or the singular. I personally think that the plural forms of the nouns in sentences A1 and B1 are the correct ones to use. What do you think? I'll look forward to your answers.