Wordwizard

1) I have a student to teach to swim. 2) I have a student to whom to teach to swim. 3) I have a student to whom to teach swimming. 4) I have a student to teach how to swim to. 5) I have a student to teach him how to swim. Which of these sentences are correct and mean the same as: A) I have a studen...

Are these sentences correct: 1) He is alright to go home. 2) He is alright to drive. 3) He is alright to do the job. Can't '3' mean: a) He is in a condition to do the job. b) He is suitable to do the job. c) He has agreed to do the job. and also d) Seeing that he does the job, one can say that he is...

Are sentences 1 to 4 correct with the given meanings: 1) He is a man to lead. Meaning: He is fit to be a leader. He has a talent for leading. 2) He is a man to steal in such occasions. Meaning: He is a man who steals in such occasions. 3) He is a man to react violently in such occasions. Meaning: He...

1) I avoid talking to him before every competition because that saps his self-confidence. 2) I avoid talking to him before every competition because it saps his self-confidence. In which case: a) talking to him saps his self-confidence and in which case: b) My avoiding talking to him saps his self-...

I generally limit myself to the Usage and Grammar section of the forum and do not venture into the other sections, but I just happened to see the title of this thread and thought I might find something interesting in it. I am not at all familiar with Jamaican Creole and with this type of poetry, and...

Which are correct: 1-When he does the freestyle, every how many strokes does he take a breath? 2-When he does the freestyle, he takes a breath every how many strokes? 3) Every how many days do they collect the garbage in this neighborhood? 4) They collect the garbage in this neighborhood every how m...

1) What a game to be played in the semi-finals of the Champions League! It was an amazing game. 2) What a game to be played in the semi-finals of the Champions League! I am sure that it'll be a great game. Are both correct? In '1', the game has already been played and in '2' it is to be played. I t...

Which are correct:

1) He watches TV series a lot.
2) He watches TV series as much as he can.

3) She watches TV series little.
4) She watches TV series very little.
5) She watches TV series as little as possible.

Gratefully,
Navi

Thank you very much, Tony,

I have to apologize again. I looked through my files. I found the question, but not the reply.

Gratefully,
Navi

My apologies, Tony, I think both '1' and '2' can have two different meanings. I'd like to see if I am correct. 1) I can't do anything you want. First possible meaning: There is nothing you want that I can do. Second possible meaning: I can't do just anything you want. I can do only some of the thing...

1) Do not worry about damaged merchandise. When we handle your goods, they will never be damaged. 2) Do not worry about damaged merchandise. If you buy anything from us, you can be sure it is not damaged. Are the above grammatical and do they make sense? The first sentence, in this context, does no...

1) I can't do anything you want.
2) He doesn't think they will have anything you want.

Are those sentences ambiguous?

First meaning: nothing
Second meaning: just anything

Gratefully,
Navi

Thank you very much, Phil,

My problem with '2' is that it gives the impression that the repair is over and done with. I think it could be used in that case, can't it?

And could it be used if the repair in not over?


2) This is the first time I have repaired my computer.


Gratefully,
Navi

Thank you all very much, The song I asked about was supposed to be part of a big 'rock opera'. It would probably have been meaningful within that context, but was released with a batch of other songs from that 'rock opera' without the 'opera' being completed. I am not sure it was ever completed. I t...

Let's say I am in the act of repairing my computer, and it is my first time. The repair is not over. Should I say: 1) This is the first time I am repairing my computer. or: 2) This is the first time I have repaired my computer. ============================= Which is correct: 3) This is the last time...