Do I have to specify the time when I say "How silly of me!" in the past? Let’s say I’m telling a friend about something silly that I did in the past, and I say: How silly of me (it was) not to suspect that! Is "it was" implicit in this case—since my friend understands … Read more
I will give you guys the situation. I met someone yesterday and had talking about something. The next day I met the same person But i wasn’t sure that he was the same person. So I asked him you were the one who i talked to yesterday, weren’t you? But it seems like wrong sentence … Read more
If I was there yesterday, I am not alive now or I would not be alive now. If I had been there yesterday, I am not alive now or I would not be alive now. Which one between 1 and 2 is more widely used among native English speakers? p.s.: The focus of the question … Read more
He was the best singer of those ones who sang in the concert yesterday. He was the best singer of those who sang in the concert yesterday. He was the best of the singers who sang in the concert yesterday. Do all sentences sound good? I tried to do the research in Google Books. For … Read more
The name is known to me. (a medium level of knowing) – OK The name is familiar to me. (a high level of knowing) – OK The name sounds known to me.(it seems that is a medium level of knowing) – OK The name sounds familiar to me. (it seems that is a high level … Read more
I’m a Taiwanese and I’m running a shopping website for my dad. I want to add a sentence to express: "If you want to contact us, but you don’t speak Chinese, English is fine, then." So, is "the use of English is acceptable?" good? or any other better way? thanks a lot. 🙂 Answer Rather … Read more
I read the following sentence from an LSAT: "Animated films appropriate for children are those that are innocently naive, mischievous perhaps, but not threatening." Would you kindly help explain what’s the usage of this type of sentence construction, especially about the addition of "those that"? It seems to me that the above almost says the … Read more
Does this a common phrase? Or at least does it sound natural? I know this is quite common: "Okay, you have the job. How about starting tomorrow?" But I’m not sure about this: "Okay, you have the job. How about you start tomorrow?" Answer Both your phrases are idiomatic and correct English, however, they are … Read more
As I understand it, both sentences are grammatically correct, but the second version is used more often. Why? Is that because the second version is less formal? Or are there any other reasons in practice? Is it necessary to prepare anything else for our meeting? Is there anything else to prepare for our meeting? Answer … Read more
I want to thank a professor for asking me to TA for her course, because it made me happy that she had thought of me for the position. As a non-native English learner, it is sometimes hard for me to get the feeling of sentences. I want to know which of the following two sentences … Read more
