1
You Asked Me This Question / Re: Who and whom
« on: November 11, 2019, 09:21:39 AM »
My instinct tells me that I should use whom, but there's like another side of me which is in doubt.
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2
You Asked Me This Question / Who and whom
« on: November 08, 2019, 05:29:50 PM »
Hi sir Joe,
Just want to ask which of the below construction is correct:
The person who you speak with is ... or The person whom you want to speak with is...?
I am aware about the rules; however, I got confused with the structure above.
Thanks
Just want to ask which of the below construction is correct:
The person who you speak with is ... or The person whom you want to speak with is...?
I am aware about the rules; however, I got confused with the structure above.
Thanks
3
You Asked Me This Question / Re: Can an adjective be used as a subject in a sentence?
« on: September 24, 2019, 09:17:30 PM »
Hi sir Joe,
How are you doing?
I've been very busy because of my new job that only today I got the chance to visit your forum, and while reading some of the new topics, this one caught my attention.
Allow me to answer this question.
The subject on her post is "Can an adjective be used as a subject in a sentence?"
I consider this as a tricky question.
Without analyzing the structure of the sentence and depending on who is being asked, one could get either a "yes" or a "no" answer.
In fact, there are some grammar books out there discussing "adjectives as a form of a subject", which for me is an oversimplification. (Correct me if I am wrong with my understanding sir Joe.)
Let us have some examples.
"The OLD and SICK are advised to evacuate the area."
"The RICH get richer, and the POOR become poorer."
"The INJURED were taken to the hospital."
By visual inspection, we can all agree that the form of the subjects in the given sentences above is an adjective.
IMAGE CREDIT: LEARNINGENGLISH.VOANEWS.COM
This is what I meant when I said that the topic about adjectives used as a subject in a sentence is an oversimplification of the lesson. Why?
It is because some focus on the form and decontextualize the elements in the given sentences.
However, by carefully analyzing the sentences above and contextualizing the elements, we will find out that the subjects given above are an ellipsis of a noun phrase.
Probably, the complete form of the subject in the sentence "The OLD and SICK are advised to evacuate the area" is "The old and the sick RESIDENTS...", and for the "Rich become richer", the subject could be "The rich PEOPLE/POLITICIANS..."
And my answer to this question is a "no".
It's a "no" because the form of the subject is an elliptical construct of a noun phrase. Logically, the adjectives above are just a part of a noun phrase. Adjectives undergo nominalization, but it loses it categorical form. Once this happens, they become nouns.
Thanks, sir Joe
How are you doing?
I've been very busy because of my new job that only today I got the chance to visit your forum, and while reading some of the new topics, this one caught my attention.
Allow me to answer this question.
The subject on her post is "Can an adjective be used as a subject in a sentence?"
I consider this as a tricky question.
Without analyzing the structure of the sentence and depending on who is being asked, one could get either a "yes" or a "no" answer.
In fact, there are some grammar books out there discussing "adjectives as a form of a subject", which for me is an oversimplification. (Correct me if I am wrong with my understanding sir Joe.)
Let us have some examples.
"The OLD and SICK are advised to evacuate the area."
"The RICH get richer, and the POOR become poorer."
"The INJURED were taken to the hospital."
By visual inspection, we can all agree that the form of the subjects in the given sentences above is an adjective.
This is what I meant when I said that the topic about adjectives used as a subject in a sentence is an oversimplification of the lesson. Why?
It is because some focus on the form and decontextualize the elements in the given sentences.
However, by carefully analyzing the sentences above and contextualizing the elements, we will find out that the subjects given above are an ellipsis of a noun phrase.
Probably, the complete form of the subject in the sentence "The OLD and SICK are advised to evacuate the area" is "The old and the sick RESIDENTS...", and for the "Rich become richer", the subject could be "The rich PEOPLE/POLITICIANS..."
And my answer to this question is a "no".
It's a "no" because the form of the subject is an elliptical construct of a noun phrase. Logically, the adjectives above are just a part of a noun phrase. Adjectives undergo nominalization, but it loses it categorical form. Once this happens, they become nouns.
Thanks, sir Joe
4
You Asked Me This Question / Re: Grammar Joust: “Where’s the verb in that sentence?”
« on: March 03, 2019, 12:06:27 AM »
How about the below revision, sir Joe,
"All stakeholders (who are) concerned about the legal and behavioral implications of labor dispute settlement and conflict resolutions for the continuous survival of businesses and organizations are encouraged (are invited) to attend the upcoming seminar that will be held at Crowne Plaza hotel."
That's really tough. =)
"All stakeholders (who are) concerned about the legal and behavioral implications of labor dispute settlement and conflict resolutions for the continuous survival of businesses and organizations are encouraged (are invited) to attend the upcoming seminar that will be held at Crowne Plaza hotel."
That's really tough. =)
5
You Asked Me This Question / Re: Grammar Joust: “Where’s the verb in that sentence?”
« on: March 02, 2019, 03:17:39 PM »
Here's another one:
"It is imperative that all stakeholders (who are) concerned about the legal and behavioral implications of labor dispute settlement and conflict resolutions for the continuous survival of businesses and organizations, attend the upcoming seminar that will be held at Crowne Plaza hotel.
"It is imperative that all stakeholders (who are) concerned about the legal and behavioral implications of labor dispute settlement and conflict resolutions for the continuous survival of businesses and organizations, attend the upcoming seminar that will be held at Crowne Plaza hotel.
6
You Asked Me This Question / Re: Grammar Joust: “Where’s the verb in that sentence?”
« on: March 02, 2019, 03:07:37 PM »
How about the below revision, sir Joe?
"It is imperative that all those who are involved in a labor dispute settlement and conflict resolution that concern human behavior, its legal and behavioral implications for the continuing survival of businesses and organizations in a globalized economy, attend the upcoming seminar that will be held at Crowne Plaza Hotel."
"It is imperative that all those who are involved in a labor dispute settlement and conflict resolution that concern human behavior, its legal and behavioral implications for the continuing survival of businesses and organizations in a globalized economy, attend the upcoming seminar that will be held at Crowne Plaza Hotel."
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You Asked Me This Question / Re: Grammar Joust: “Where’s the verb in that sentence?”
« on: March 02, 2019, 12:12:55 AM »
Let me try this. Please do see my entry below.
"It is imperative that all business owners, executives, employers, employees, HR managers, HR professionals, line managers, supervisors, union leaders, labor arbiters including voluntary arbitrators, and all those involved in a labor dispute settlement and conflict resolution concerning human behavior and its legal and behavioral implications to businesses'(s) and other organizations'(s) productivity, quality, profitability, competitiveness and continuous survival in a globalized economy attend the upcoming seminar that will be held at Crowne Plaza Hotel."
"It is imperative that all business owners, executives, employers, employees, HR managers, HR professionals, line managers, supervisors, union leaders, labor arbiters including voluntary arbitrators, and all those involved in a labor dispute settlement and conflict resolution concerning human behavior and its legal and behavioral implications to businesses'(s) and other organizations'(s) productivity, quality, profitability, competitiveness and continuous survival in a globalized economy attend the upcoming seminar that will be held at Crowne Plaza Hotel."
8
You Asked Me This Question / Re: A syntax query
« on: February 24, 2019, 02:36:24 AM »
Great to hear that you are doing well, sir Joe!
Thank you for clarifying this and thank you too for the links. I will definitely read it to review myself about the elliptical sentences.
I was also thinking about the elliptical structure when I first saw the said post. However, I wasn't just so sure about it.
Also, I have noticed that people nowadays seemed to write the way they speak, which, for me, could make the teaching and learning of a second language pretty challenging for both teachers and students.
How I wish there was a rule in this language advising us to leave the grammar of spoken English in Spoken English and the grammar of written English in written English.
This, i think, will somehow clear the issue that blurs the line between appropriacy and grammaticality, and the opposing views between the purists and the descriptivists.
One good example would be the "me" and "I" issue in the sentence "It's I/me".
Using the grammar of spoken English, the statement "It is me" is perfectly grammatical and appropriate if spoken. If it is to be analyzed in the written form, we could say that the statement "It is me" is grammatical but not appropriate. So, if it will be written, the nominative case should be used, which is "It's I".
It would also be better if grammaticality of a language would be analyzed based on whether the native speakers produce or make use of whatever language structure that is in question or not. But, of course, this is next to impossible. =)
Thank you for clarifying this and thank you too for the links. I will definitely read it to review myself about the elliptical sentences.
I was also thinking about the elliptical structure when I first saw the said post. However, I wasn't just so sure about it.
Also, I have noticed that people nowadays seemed to write the way they speak, which, for me, could make the teaching and learning of a second language pretty challenging for both teachers and students.
How I wish there was a rule in this language advising us to leave the grammar of spoken English in Spoken English and the grammar of written English in written English.
This, i think, will somehow clear the issue that blurs the line between appropriacy and grammaticality, and the opposing views between the purists and the descriptivists.
One good example would be the "me" and "I" issue in the sentence "It's I/me".
Using the grammar of spoken English, the statement "It is me" is perfectly grammatical and appropriate if spoken. If it is to be analyzed in the written form, we could say that the statement "It is me" is grammatical but not appropriate. So, if it will be written, the nominative case should be used, which is "It's I".
It would also be better if grammaticality of a language would be analyzed based on whether the native speakers produce or make use of whatever language structure that is in question or not. But, of course, this is next to impossible. =)
9
You Asked Me This Question / A syntax query
« on: February 23, 2019, 03:41:38 PM »
Hi sir Joe,
I hope you are doing ok.
I would just like to ask you regarding the structure of the below conditional sentence.
"If INTERESTED, kindly send me a message."
I am not just quite sure if the form of the verb in the "if-clause" is correct or if it is possible in mixed conditionals.
I always find this structure being used by job advertisers on Facebook.
Shouldn't it be written as " If you ARE INTERESTED, kindly send me a message"?
Thank you.
Mike
I hope you are doing ok.
I would just like to ask you regarding the structure of the below conditional sentence.
"If INTERESTED, kindly send me a message."
I am not just quite sure if the form of the verb in the "if-clause" is correct or if it is possible in mixed conditionals.
I always find this structure being used by job advertisers on Facebook.
Shouldn't it be written as " If you ARE INTERESTED, kindly send me a message"?
Thank you.
Mike
10
You Asked Me This Question / "It's color red" versus "It's colored red"
« on: January 16, 2019, 02:12:22 AM »
Hi sir Joe,
May I know your thought on the above topic?
I actually answered some random grammar queries in Quora, and one of these is with regard to the use of "It's" and "Its". However, another member posted his comment as you can see on the attached images.
May I know your thought on the above topic?
I actually answered some random grammar queries in Quora, and one of these is with regard to the use of "It's" and "Its". However, another member posted his comment as you can see on the attached images.
11
You Asked Me This Question / A Question about Morphology
« on: January 02, 2019, 09:00:04 AM »
Hi Sir Joe,
Something came up in my grey matter while studying morphology. I hope you'll be able to provide me with a better explanation on this.
I can't help but contemplate on the definition given to the concept "morphemes". Most of the references that I read define it as " the minimal units of words that have a meaning".
However, I feel like this definition only applies to free morphemes and disqualifies the bound morphemes. Let's take the word "loveLY" as an example.
The word "LOVE" is the free morpheme, and the meaning is clear. However, for the suffix "LY", which is an example of a free morpheme, I can't figure out exactly if this suffix indeed carries meaning on its own in order for it to be qualified in the definition of the concept "Morphemes".
May I know you thought on this, sir Joe?
Thanks and happy New year! =)
Something came up in my grey matter while studying morphology. I hope you'll be able to provide me with a better explanation on this.
I can't help but contemplate on the definition given to the concept "morphemes". Most of the references that I read define it as " the minimal units of words that have a meaning".
However, I feel like this definition only applies to free morphemes and disqualifies the bound morphemes. Let's take the word "loveLY" as an example.
The word "LOVE" is the free morpheme, and the meaning is clear. However, for the suffix "LY", which is an example of a free morpheme, I can't figure out exactly if this suffix indeed carries meaning on its own in order for it to be qualified in the definition of the concept "Morphemes".
May I know you thought on this, sir Joe?
Thanks and happy New year! =)
12
My Media English Watch / Word Stress in Miss Universe
« on: December 23, 2018, 03:40:43 PM »
Hi sir Joe,
Merry Christmas in advance!
It's been a while since I visited this site, but, of course, I will never forget this site as this is a hoard of treasure for teachers, learners, and language enthusiasts like me.
Well, the reason I visited this site is that I can't help but notice Miss Gray's pronunciation of the word "assess" when she answered the final question in the recently concluded Miss Universe.
What I noticed was she seemed to put the stress on the first syllable,didn't she?Or, was I just too sensitive with how it was pronounced?
Thank you!
Mike
Merry Christmas in advance!
It's been a while since I visited this site, but, of course, I will never forget this site as this is a hoard of treasure for teachers, learners, and language enthusiasts like me.
Well, the reason I visited this site is that I can't help but notice Miss Gray's pronunciation of the word "assess" when she answered the final question in the recently concluded Miss Universe.
What I noticed was she seemed to put the stress on the first syllable,didn't she?Or, was I just too sensitive with how it was pronounced?
Thank you!
Mike
13
You Asked Me This Question / Re: "these information" or "this information" Which one is correct
« on: January 09, 2018, 12:29:49 PM »thank you very much. can I ask another question here.
Which of these two sentences is correct? "
1. Attached are the approval letter for your signature and the letter request from the Company.
2. Attached is the approval letter for your signature and the letter request from the Company
Hi,
The sentence "Attached (is, are) the approval letter for your signature and the letter request from Company X" mentioned on your post is a passive construct in its inverted structure. To answer your question about verb agreement, let's revert its structure to its normal order.
THE approval letter for your signature and THE letter request (request letter) from Company X (is, are) attached.
Now that we have it in normal order, let's star analyzing the structure.
There are two subjects in the sentence presented above. These subjects are connected by "AND".
S1: THE approval letter for your signature
S2: THE letter request (request letter) from Company X.
Conj.: AND
So the subject structure calls for a plural verb (are).
To further analyze the structure, notice that I have capitalized the article "THE" in the sentence above. If my memory serves me right, the separate use of the article after the coordinating conjunction (AND) clearly indicates that the subjects are distinguished from each other and are therefore treated plural.
If you would like to avoid such problem, you may recast your sentence by making it in the active voice.
"I have attached the approval letter for your signature and the letter request from Company X."
But, of course, its appeal to the reader or the recipient of your letter will be different compared to the passive construct, which ,for me, sounds more formal.
Let's wait for sir Joe for further explanation or clarification if i missed some points on this post.
14
You Asked Me This Question / Re: Setting the matter straight on the “not me” vs. “not I” usage
« on: January 08, 2018, 02:34:24 PM »
Exactly, sir Joe!
The case presented is just one of the so many issues in the English language usage which throw the second language learners into an intellectual and emotional tailspin. The differing perspectives of language authorities and the existence of English varieties make it difficult for the second language learners to accurately position themselves in their L2 learning and acquisition. One would tell them how something is done; however, in reality, the spoken form and the common usage contradict or defy what is prescribed or taught. These are just one of the very reasons why the field of linguistics was born, and that is to describe scientifically the very intricate nature of the language and account for every possible linguistic variation because the real score is no one has ever documented all the features of the English language.
The case presented is just one of the so many issues in the English language usage which throw the second language learners into an intellectual and emotional tailspin. The differing perspectives of language authorities and the existence of English varieties make it difficult for the second language learners to accurately position themselves in their L2 learning and acquisition. One would tell them how something is done; however, in reality, the spoken form and the common usage contradict or defy what is prescribed or taught. These are just one of the very reasons why the field of linguistics was born, and that is to describe scientifically the very intricate nature of the language and account for every possible linguistic variation because the real score is no one has ever documented all the features of the English language.
15
You Asked Me This Question / Re: Setting the matter straight on the “not me” vs. “not I” usage
« on: January 07, 2018, 09:40:28 PM »
The problem with the case usage lies on the idea that some prescriptivists would always insist all the rules of writing in speaking without, maybe, understanding that in the history of the language, human learned how to speak first before writing, and only then was the language got codified. We never speak the way we write.