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 .
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.
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
Not to mention, grammatically wrong too.Originally posted by hobochua:This is helpful...thanks man...
but the words used are preposterous.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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..
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?
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.
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?
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
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!![]()
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!
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."
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.....
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.