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Messages - ninaortiz

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Students’ Sounding Board / Thank you letter
« on: February 08, 2017, 03:33:09 PM »
February 7, 2017

Dear  Mr. Carillo:

Thank you so much for replying to my letter, discussing the difference between a verb phrase and a phrasal verb and clarifying on  things that confuse me about  some grammar terms and usage.

Your response made me realized the error on my letter in that particular sentence “When you introduced yourself to me, I was surprised because I bought your two books entitled “English Plain and Simple” and  “Give your English the Winning Edge.”   It should be  “When you introduced yourself to me, I was surprised because I had previously bought two books of yours, ………….”, as shown on your response when you re-structured that sentence. I didn’t give much thought on this. The past perfect should have been used because these are  two actions happened in the past; therefore, one of the past actions that happened first should be in the past perfect tense “had previously bought.”   Am I correct on my understanding about the past perfect tense, Sir?

It’s true. Your  three books are really great.  I will always treasure these books for a lifetime. These are the best English books I have ever bought because all the topics were discussed completely  and profoundly, with examples.  I have never read a book  as  enjoyable, engaging, and  effective as yours.  I have learned a lot from these books. Further, what I like most about your second book  “Give your English the Winning Edge” is the topic about paragraph transition.  Moving from one paragraph  to another paragraph is the most difficult part whenever I write, considering I am an IT person and English is not my forte.  When I took time to really comprehend this topic, paragraph transition has become much easier, though  I’m still progressively learning these transitional devices. I also like the topic about parallelism.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for writing and publishing your three great books that are very useful  for people like me who is keenly interested in improving my written and spoken English and communicating more clearly.  At present, I have three (3) books of yours: English Plain and Simple, Give your English the Winning Edge, and The Ten Most Annoying English Grammar Errors  (I also love this book so much, particularly  the exercises and answer keys).  May I know if you have new books  published?  I will gladly and quickly buy these from bookstores.

Mr. Carillo, my  written English has improved significantly because of your books. Apart from my regular job, I am also the Corporate Secretary of our Home Owners Association. And I’m proud to tell you that all the members of the association and unit owners have expressed their sincere admiration for the letters and narrative reports I have written.   Sir, you are the best!!!


Sincerely,

Nina Ortiz

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Use and Misuse / Difference between a verb phrase and a phrasal verb
« on: December 08, 2016, 02:45:05 PM »
Dear Mr. Carillo:

Good Day  Sir!

This is Nina Ortiz. I hope you still remember me. We met at PC Supermarket at Pioneer St. in Mandaluyong while I was  doing my groceries while  you were also buying something.  I think that was sometime in year 2010.   When you introduced yourself to me, I was surprised because I bought your two books entitled “English Plain and Simple” and “Give your English the Winning Edge.”  I really love these  books.  Truth is, I will miss one third of my life if I lose these books.  They are great!!  By the way, we even shared our cell numbers and the chance to text with each other once or twice, but the texting suddenly stopped.

Mr. Carillo, I need your help  regarding these things:

      •     What is the difference between a verb phrase and a phrasal verb.  Are these two  one and the [      
same thing?

      •     About the statement “I look forward to hearing from you.”  Why is it the “ing” form is always used and not the regular verb? What is the grammar rule behind this.  The sentence “I look forward to hear from you” sounds good to the ears as well.  

      •     Which is correct “ I intend to see you” or “I intend to seeing you”.   I always hear  on TV stations from newcasters, news anchors, and a lot of people using the “to with the ing form ” with the verb.  For  instance, they would say “They met together to sharing their expertise.”  Is it also correct to say “They met together to share their expertise.”  Which is correct?

Before I close, could you please give me a critique on my writing above.  Are my sentences grammatically correct and/ or  are the paragraphs well-written. Do they  need  improvements, corrections, and revisions?  You know, I am  a software engineer and English is not my forte, but I love to write.  

Thank you so much for your reply.  I would be very happy to hear from you again because this is my test if I am learning from your books.    Opps! Another confusion…  Which is correct? ...  “I would be very happy to hear from you again”  or  “I would be very happy to hearing from you again.”   Though in my opinion, the sentence “I would be very happy to hear from you again”  sounds  better to the ears than the latter.

Sincerely,

Nina Ortiz


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