I want to understand if there is any difference between “rebellion attempt” and “attempted rebellion”. The first is a noun-noun while the second is an adjective noun. I think both are ok, but I do know if one is preferable to the other. Also, to me both wordings carry the same meaning, is that so? … Read more
Is this grammar just for regular verbs? Or we can use irregular verbs, too. Answer Oddly enough, irregular past participles have survived as adjectives long after the verb itself has become regular: a freshly mown lawn a newly sown field a poorly sewn dress spilt milk (only archaic in North America) So, obviously, English doesn’t … Read more
Here are a few words from Jeffrey Bernard; they can be read in the Spectator. But, having said that vodka is my favourite drink, I suppose whisky is the best all-rounder in the world. It does make people go mad though. When I was banged up in the bin in 1972 for three months 90 … Read more
My native language is English. My second-best language used to be German (though you need not know German to answer, for my questions are about English), so I am now noticing what seems to be a weird pattern. In English, one can say either of these: The day has come. The day is come. In … Read more
Some time ago I learned the difference between a present participle and a gerund, so today I decided to pass any online test to make sure I understand it. I passed it having made only one mistake, which asked the difference between the two in this sentence: Nobody was surprised at John being absent. One … Read more
This is not correct, right? Mixing present tense and past tense makes me think it is not correct but I see it so often on signs that I’m not even sure any more. Is there a specific reason why it’s often said like that or is it just consistently overlooked? Answer Given that this has … Read more
This is a follow-up to this earlier question. I want to say that I met a person and they were drunk at the time. Which should I use: I saw intoxicated John. I saw the intoxicated John. I saw John intoxicated. I know I could say I saw John, who was intoxicated, but I want … Read more
Consider the following sentence. The blue page is stapled to the red page. Although “stapled” is (apparently) past-tense, nonetheless the above sentence is clearly expressing something about the present. What gives? In particular, would it be wrong to label “stapled” as past-tense in that sentence? (note: Er, actually the OP’s question involves the difference between … Read more
