Wordwizard

1) They divided the boys into groups for all activities. 2) They divided the boys into groups for every activity. 3) They divided the boys into groups for each activity. In which case: a) We have the same groups all across the board. No matter what the activity, the groups are the same. in which ca...

Which are correct: 1) Who does better at school, boys or girls? 2) Who do better at school, boys or girls? 3) Which do better at school, boys or girls? 4) Your cousins were here yesterday. Which talked to Jean? 5) Your cousins were here yesterday. Which ones talked to Jean? 6) Your cousins were here...

Which are correct:

1) It was more of a rock band than I would have liked. I preferred jazz.
2) It was more a rock band than I would have liked. I preferred jazz.

3) These groups were more rock bands than I would have liked. I preferred jazz.



Gratefully,
Navi

Are these sentences correct: 1) John can do that, even injured. 2) John, even injured, can do that. These sentences are supposed to mean: John can do that even if he is injured. ============================================= 3) John can do that, injured. 4) John can do that injured. These two are sup...

1) In the early days without proper equipment, our work took a lot longer. 2) Our work took a lot longer in the early days without proper equipment. In which case: a) There were the early days without the proper equipment and then the later days without the proper equipment and in which case: b) We...

Thank you both very much, Well, 'worship' is too strong a word, but 'love' probably isn't. The Doors were in my opinion one of the greatest bands ever. And Robbie Krieger is one of the most under-rated guitarists ever. Those were indeed the days! Just make a list of the important albums that came ou...

Thank you very much, Phil, Very nice. Yes, I know that pragmatics is primordial, but I still want to try to figure out the rules of syntax, knowing full well I can measure the size of an ocean using a teaspoon! How should I speak? Thunder! How should we ride through these fields, general? Thunder! T...

Thank you both very much, Eric and Phil,

Things have been completely clarified for me! This was really complicated. It was a big problem for me.

Thanks again.
Respectfully,
Navi

Thank you very much, Trolley and Phil, My apologies to Trolley. There is one more question. Consider: 3) I kicked John coming in through the door. Is this sentence correctly punctuated and could it mean 'I kicked John when he was coming in through the door'? The reason I am asking this is that one c...

Thank you very much, Trolley, Very interesting. I had been taught that phrases like 'waking Jane up' were adverbials and could only refer to the subject of the sentence. The exceptions were verbs of perception ("I saw Tom waking Jane up.") and "catch" ("I caught Tom waking Jane up.") Now, either I g...

1) I shouted at Tom waking Jane up.
2) I shouted at Tom, waking Jane up.

Are both correctly punctuated?
Is the comma necessary?
Does it change anything in any way?
Does it change the meaning?

Gratefully,
Navi

1) This is an expensive coat to wear on a hiking trip. 2) This is an expensive coat to be worn on a hiking trip. Meaning: It is not wise to wear such an expensive coat on a hiking trip. You shouldn't wear it on a hiking trip. It is too expensive for that. Are sentences '1' and '2' correct and do th...

Which are correct: 1) Take enough painkillers not to feel the pain. 2) Take enough painkillers so you won't feel pain. 3) Take enough painkillers so that you won't feel pain. 4) Take enough painkillers that you won't feel pain. 5) Take enough painkillers so you don't feel the pain. 6) Take enough pa...

1) You can help end poverty if you want it. 2) You can help end poverty if you want that. 3) You can play a part in ending poverty if you want it. 4) You can play a part in ending poverty if you want that. Does replacing 'it' with 'that' change anything? Do ' it' and 'that ' refer to your helping t...

Which are correct: 1) Tom's and Pete's intelligence was put to good use in that project. 2) Tom's and Pete's intelligences were put to good use in that project. 3) Tom's and Pete's talent was put to good use in that movie. 4) Tom's and Pete's talents were put to good use in that movie. Gratefully, N...