English grammar ..
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If this example fails to teach, it would result in the girl failing her exams.
If all girls fail their exams due to this example, then this thread has failed. -
This is Present Simple Tense= Singular subjects (girl = 1) use singular verbs ("fails")Originally posted by dbowie:Till now I have to admit my grammar sucks .. Take the below as an example
The girl fails her exam.
The girl fail her exam.
I can't even differentiate and my writing sucks because of this..and may I know what grammar rule is this under ? I have to buck up before my O's .
It is good to want to buck up in your English language command before your exams but unfortunately, the learning of languages is not something you can master within a short time, it not being the mere memorisation of facts to be regurgitated......... but the appreciation of the technical rules of grammar to be put into practice.
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I learnt grammar long after learning to speak the language properly. I think it has got a lot to do with how much you use good english which in turn is usually an effect of how much exposure you have had to good English. I was one of the more fortunate ones.Originally posted by :This is Present Simple Tense= Singular subjects (girl = 1) use singular verbs ("fails")
It is good to want to buck up in your English language command before your exams but unfortunately, the learning of languages is not something you can master within a short time, it not being the mere memorisation of facts to be regurgitated......... but the appreciation of the technical rules of grammar to be put into practice.
Primary School English Teachers in those days had a good command of the language unlike the ones teaching today. Horrendous, I tell you. It seems, to qualify to teach English today, you only need have passed English. They not only are sorely lacking in their grammar knowledge and pronunciation, but also are fanatical about marking schemes. Gone are the days you could squeeze 5 marks or more out of the teacher for answers that deviate from the marking scheme for acceptable answers.
Secondary School Teachers, on the other hand are pretty proficient with the language.
Great system isn't it. Corrupt your basic foundations in 6 years of Primary School. And try to correct it in 4 years of Secondary School. -
This is helpful...thanks man...Originally posted by iaintmad:just remeber this :
He and she has an ass
I and you have no ass
he runs, she runs
i run, you run
but the words used are preposterous. -
Not to mention, grammatically wrong too.Originally posted by hobochua:This is helpful...thanks man...
but the words used are preposterous.
Both he and she [choice is "of them" instead of "he and she"] have asses.
:p -
Heh, I don't really speak English properly, but I have all my primary school English teachers to thank for. They really know their stuffs, and explained each and every sentences in a clear and concise manner.Originally posted by maven2:I learnt grammar long after learning to speak the language properly. I think it has got a lot to do with how much you use good english which in turn is usually an effect of how much exposure you have had to good English. I was one of the more fortunate ones.
Primary School English Teachers in those days had a good command of the language unlike the ones teaching today. Horrendous, I tell you. It seems, to qualify to teach English today, you only need have passed English. They not only are sorely lacking in their grammar knowledge and pronunciation, but also are fanatical about marking schemes. Gone are the days you could squeeze 5 marks or more out of the teacher for answers that deviate from the marking scheme for acceptable answers.
Secondary School Teachers, on the other hand are pretty proficient with the language.
Great system isn't it. Corrupt your basic foundations in 6 years of Primary School. And try to correct it in 4 years of Secondary School.
Not just so, they gave examples. As long as anything that could be read, it could be used as a teaching resource for grammar. PETS Coursebook, Maths textbook, you name it, they used it.
And that's in the 90s...
In secondary school, I think one would get scoldings for flouting all kinds of grammar rules. At least for my batch. -
If you are going to correct that, sentence structure is wrong.Originally posted by maven2:Not to mention, grammatically wrong too.
Both he and she [choice is "of them" instead of "he and she"] have asses.
:p
It should be "You and I".
Edit: missed out a word. -
Acherly hor... that's what s'pore engrish teachers teach one... in engrish, it doesnt really matter one.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:If you are going to correct that, sentence structure is wrong.
It should be "You and I".
Edit: missed out a word.
You and I, I and you all the same.
some of the other things they teach wrong one are...
"Sentences cannot start with And or Because"
also no such rule one :p -
Sentences cannot start with And or Because... is allowed.Originally posted by maven2:Acherly hor... that's what s'pore engrish teachers teach one... in engrish, it doesnt really matter one.
You and I, I and you all the same.
some of the other things they teach wrong one are...
"Sentences cannot start with And or Because"
also no such rule one :p
You and I... not that it sounds nicer... but more towards a relationship issue... society before self. -
Starting with And is fine in some situations, starts with because and its wrong.
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can i ask wads the meaning of 'understatement' and how do i use this word?
maybe asking a dumb question but i seriously wan to know wads the meaning of this word.. -
Originally posted by maven2:Not to mention, grammatically wrong too.
Both he and she [choice is "of them" instead of "he and she"] have asses.
:p
har????? 
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Maybe a dumb question?Originally posted by me_a_clone:can i ask wads the meaning of 'understatement' and how do i use this word?
maybe asking a dumb question but i seriously wan to know wads the meaning of this word..
That's a serious [b]understatement![/b]
There, hope that explains it. :p
One other example that comes to mind at this moment:
To say that Gazelle makes some baseless accusations is a serious understatement. He breathes baseless accusations! -
does tat mean people making wild guess without proof is making an understatement?Originally posted by maven2:Maybe a dumb question?
That's a serious [b]understatement![/b]
There, hope that explains it. :p
One other example that comes to mind at this moment:
To say that Gazelle makes some baseless accusations is a serious understatement. He breathes baseless accusations! -
An understatement is something that "understates" something. i.e, it is watered-down - doesn't fully express the extent to which it is true.Originally posted by me_a_clone:does tat mean people making wild guess without proof is making an understatement?
I see that cheeky examples don't serve well to elaborate meanings :p
Now in the light of the meaning, look at my previous post and see if you understand. -
example if i see someonr involve in an accident and an ambulance is at the scene, i say: i hope it is not a serious accident..Originally posted by maven2:An understatement is something that "understates" something. i.e, it is watered-down - doesn't fully express the extent to which it is true.
I see that cheeky examples don't serve well to elaborate meanings :p
Now in the light of the meaning, look at my previous post and see if you understand.
am i making an understatment which obviously it is a serious accident? -
You said you hope... so it's not an understatement YET.Originally posted by me_a_clone:example if i see someonr involve in an accident and an ambulance is at the scene, i say: i hope it is not a serious accident..
am i making an understatment which obviously it is a serious accident?
If somebody did die and you said it's not a serious accident, then it's an understatement. -
Alas, you peeps have mistaken! Not starting sentences with 'and', 'but' and 'because' is not a rule of grammar. It's just that the formal use of English frowns upon this. As it is an examination, the use of the language in a more formal manner would be more advisable..... Hope this clarifies!Originally posted by maven2:Acherly hor... that's what s'pore engrish teachers teach one... in engrish, it doesnt really matter one.
You and I, I and you all the same.
some of the other things they teach wrong one are...
"Sentences cannot start with And or Because"
also no such rule one :p
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Yeah...Originally posted by :Alas, you peeps have mistaken! Not starting sentences with 'and', 'but' and 'because' is not a rule of grammar. It's just that the formal use of English frowns upon this. As it is an examination, the use of the language in a more formal manner would be more advisable..... Hope this clarifies!
Anyway, such words have usually been replaced so as to sound nicer, so it's no wonder.
For example: "Due to the bad weather, I cancelled my trip to Ubin." , rather than "Because of the bad weather I cancelled my trip to Ubin." -
oic.. catch some ball already.. thanks alotOriginally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:You said you hope... so it's not an understatement YET.
If somebody did die and you said it's not a serious accident, then it's an understatement. -
Dictionary kumlan one?Originally posted by maven2:Maybe a dumb question?
That's a serious [b]understatement![/b]
There, hope that explains it. :p
One other example that comes to mind at this moment:
To say that Gazelle makes some baseless accusations is a serious understatement. He breathes baseless accusations!
Time you grew up and be independent enough to do your own trsearch. want your parents to enrol you for Kumon class issit? -
I think the problem arises because students think it's "Wrong English" now.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:Yeah...
Anyway, such words have usually been replaced so as to sound nicer, so it's no wonder.
For example: "Due to the bad weather, I cancelled my trip to Ubin." , rather than "Because of the bad weather I cancelled my trip to Ubin."
But a scan through the storybooks tells us otherwise. When it comes to writing, or creative writing, or even argumentative essays or speeches, starting with "And" and "Because" actually serves a purpose. It's carefully placed there to achieve a desired effect.
Example:
She had several reasons to do just what she did. Because of his careless attitude. Because of his abusive nature. Because her life had been endangered. And yet there was nothing that could justify the violence..... -
The students think it's wrong because it has been taught this way. I was one, until I found it out in Sec 4 that it's acceptable.Originally posted by maven2:I think the problem arises because students think it's "Wrong English" now.
But a scan through the storybooks tells us otherwise. When it comes to writing, or creative writing, or even argumentative essays or speeches, starting with "And" and "Because" actually serves a purpose. It's carefully placed there to achieve a desired effect.
Example:
She had several reasons to do just what she did. Because of his careless attitude. Because of his abusive nature. Because her life had been endangered. And yet there was nothing that could justify the violence.....
Anyway, most would barely use such words at the start of a sentence unless some particular effect need to be achieved, like in the examples you gave. -
Sadly, yes, not many people write in that fashion. When my creative writing school starts, I'm going to change all that :pOriginally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:The students think it's wrong because it has been taught this way. I was one, until I found it out in Sec 4 that it's acceptable.
Anyway, most would barely use such words at the start of a sentence unless some particular effect need to be achieved, like in the examples you gave.
I do it all the time~ -
Beware of the 'English as it is Broken' book and website. They are full of errors. The experts, whatever their institutional affiliations, have no credibility at all.
Have a look at this website: http://englishasitisbroken.blogspot.com/
The foreword in the book by the ST deputy is full of elementary errors, and the rest of the book is just as bad -- page after page of pure misinformation.
Be critical and question what you read; don't take everything as gospel truth because you are being misled.