r/EnglishGrammar

"Who said it again?" Vs "Who did say it again?"

Please explain your answer:)

My apologies if this question is a bit too straight-forward, I don't know where else to ask this, or if this is even worth asking. I have seen a (fictional) letter with a signature of a person unknown. Not sure if I should share the full detail, so I'll just use this as an example...

If a person's full name is John Quincy Smith, one would think this person would sign his full name on a letter. But let's say there was a letter was signed "Q. Smith". Would this be considered correct? Would we be talking about the same person, or potentially a different person? Granted, there is always the idea that anyone can sign under any name, but for the sake of argument.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

ETA:

Someone made a really good point: "are we sure the letter is a Q and not a stylized J?"

Upon reflection, I think I made a mistake and probably should have used an example to better fit my issue at hand. The name I chose wasn't exactly close. Replace the initials "J.Q.S" with "H.J.B". Like..."Henry Joe Black"? Sorry for the poor example. So to revise my original fictional question with the new name and better details:

There is a person known as "Henry Black" - mainly known as "Mr. Black" to most, but known by his first name "Henry" to a few. As far as I know, his middle name is unknown, and his family history (i.e. if they share the same name) is unknown. And this letter which has "J. Black" as the signature, is a random letter, not an official document nor a letter to a dearly loved one. That is about all I have as far as the details go.

Bottom line question: Would "J. Black" be one person's full name "Henry Joe Black"? Or would it be reasonable to presume "J. Black" is a different person?

I'm writing something for a personal project, but I'm confused on which form of a word I should use. Here's the sentence:

"It is evident that he is terrified and acting out of cowardice."

Is this correct? Or should it be "...acting out of cowardliness?"

Could either work?

Hi everyone,

I’ve been studying with English Grammar in Use, but honestly, I feel like I’ve lost the thread a bit. It didn’t really hook me the way I expected, even though I know it’s a very popular and useful book.

I’d really like to improve my grammar specifically, so I wanted to ask people with more experience:

What grammar book would you recommend, or what book would you read first if you had to learn English grammar again from scratch?

I’m especially looking for something that feels clear, practical, and easy to follow, not just a book full of rules, but something that actually helps you understand how English works.

Thanks in advance!

1) As long as I have been sitting here, there have been no phone calls.

Does this mean:

1a) I have been sitting here for a long time, but there have been no phone calls.

1b) There have been no phone calls during the time I have been sitting here.

=================

2. As long as you and I have been dating, I have never met your parents.

Does this mean:

2a) Although you and I have been dating for a long time, I have never met your parents.

or

2b) I haven't met your parents during the time you and I have been dating.

I think the literal meaning are 1b and 2b, but in the case of 2, 2a is sort of implied.

Gratefully,

Navi

Hi everyone ☺️

I’m an English teacher in an ESL classroom and I’m currently correcting an exam. One of the exercises is about adjective vs. adverb usage, and I’d like to double-check the reasoning behind one sentence.

The sentence is:
“The teacher looked angry/angrily at the noisy students.”

Personally, I’m more on the “angrily” side, because the verb phrase “looked at” describes an action, and the adverb describes how that action is done.
So in that reading:
looked angry = describes the teacher’s emotional state
looked angrily at = describes the manner of the action

In this context, which version would you consider more natural or “correct” in standard usage? Or would you accept both in an ESL exam?

Thanks in advance for your input!

in (B8), what are the correct forms (or common expressions) of those bare verbs written in CAPITAL LETTERS based on the different contexts mentioned in the square brackets.

In English, when you are describing something that is happening right now, especially with a rapid series of actions. Will you more often use the present tense (non-progressive) instead of progressive aspect?

https://preview.redd.it/db84lq1nw82h1.png?width=1072&format=png&auto=webp&s=cfc5dbd5e0545bb6ec78b66b8cf244f88b218469

Hello! Could you help me with choosing the right actile?

1. A speaker is on the phone with his friend. He wants to open a book on his laptop. He knows which book he's going to open, but his friend doesn't. Does the speaker say "Let me open a book" or "Let me open the book"?

2. At first, I wanted to start this post with this: "Could you help me with \_\_/an/the article choice?" Which option would have been correct? Or would you say that another way? "A choice of an article"? "The choosing of an article"?

3. When talking about levels of English, do I say "He's at \_\_/a/the B2 level"?

4. If I talk about wanting to take \_\_/a/the FCE/CAE/CPE/GMAT/TOEFL exam, which article do I use?

I'd greatly appreciate it if you also explained each of your choices.

Which is the correct phrase to use when offering an example.

Example "such and such person really reminds me of such and such (in that/and that) he is always such and such".

I will be joining a well know law school in my country, I want to formidably be good at usage of english grammar and citations, I have picked up for the same fact, two books on grammar to choose from for learning and practicing the same, help me in deciding which book should I buy (I want the practice through which I could write good essays and would do draftings on my own).
The two books are:-
1)Michael swan - Practice English Usage.
2)Raymond Murphy - English Grammar in use.

Is it appropriate to include the word “in” when using “verbatim” before quoted text blocks? Or should I drop the word “in”?

Example:
The research paper states (in verbatim):
[indented text block here]

Bonus points if you can point me to a resource that explains your answer (so I have something to take to my bosses!)

Me to Him: Would like to do this trip on 31st. It would be crowded considering the festival -Possible to make arrangements for both of us?
Him: Both of us means? Your mom?

Did I sound like I meant my mother?

1. He lied about killing anyone.

Is that sentence correct?
If it is, what does it mean?

Gratefully,
Navi