1) earlier or before I'm expected to. Include the phrase to clarify.
2) either
2) with his left foot
3) either
4) yes
5) yes
6) IT is not the same.
Sra
I still have a few doubts on the use of "earlier". I included other five sentences I'm really doubtful about
1) Can't you say:
Would you mind if I stopped working ten minutes earlier (than I'm expected to)? (If I write "before" or earlier without including a phrase is it a mistake??)
2) I broke a glass and I blamed my friend. Since then we are not (why not "have not been"?) friends any more.
2) I felt sorry for a friend that twisted his ankle. He's going to have problems at (?) his left foot.
3) I last felt ashamed when I blamed my friend (better a friend) even if he hadn't done anything wrong. Shouldn't I use the past parfect "hadn't done", instead of "didn't do"?
4) She congratulated Mark for/on passing his exam (because he passed/had passed his exam) with the highest mark. (Are all alternatives possible??)
5) He is enthusiastic about his exam result (is it possible?). He is satisfied, delighted, pleased, content WITH (not about) his exam result. But He is happy about/with his exam result. He is cheerful about his exam result.
6) Do you "ever" prepare breakfast by yourself? Is not the same as Do you "always" prepare breakfast by yourself?
2 answers
1) Can't you say:
Would you mind if I stopped working ten minutes earlier (than I'm expected to)? (If I write "before" or earlier without including a phrase is it a mistake??)
It's not a mistake, but it leaves the idea incomplete. To be clear in your speech and writing, you need to be as complete as possible, not leaving any listener or reader waiting for the rest of the information.
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/adjectives-comparative_2.htm
and
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/adjectives-comparative.htm
and
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/adjectives.htm#comparative
2) I broke a glass and I blamed my friend. Since then we are not (why not "have not been"?) friends any more.
You can use either "have not been" or "are not" -- both mean that you were friends, but no longer are friends.
2) I felt sorry for a friend who twisted his ankle. He's going to have problems with his left foot.
Use "that" for things; use "who" for people.
3) I last felt ashamed when I blamed my friend (better a friend) even if he hadn't done anything wrong. Shouldn't I use the past parfect "hadn't done", instead of "didn't do"?
Either one works, but "hadn't" is probably better.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sequence.htm
4) She congratulated Mark for/on passing his exam (because he passed/had passed his exam) with the highest mark. (Are all alternatives possible??)
All are possible, yes.
5) He is enthusiastic about his exam result (is it possible?). He is satisfied, delighted, pleased, content WITH (not about) his exam result. But He is happy about/with his exam result. He is cheerful about his exam result.
I'd say "exam results" even if it's only one exam, but yes, all are possible.
6) Do you "ever" prepare breakfast by yourself? Is not the same as Do you "always" prepare breakfast by yourself?
They're not quite the same, but they're close. The first asks if someone has ever done this (even once). The second is asking if he does this all the time.
Would you mind if I stopped working ten minutes earlier (than I'm expected to)? (If I write "before" or earlier without including a phrase is it a mistake??)
It's not a mistake, but it leaves the idea incomplete. To be clear in your speech and writing, you need to be as complete as possible, not leaving any listener or reader waiting for the rest of the information.
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/adjectives-comparative_2.htm
and
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/adjectives-comparative.htm
and
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/adjectives.htm#comparative
2) I broke a glass and I blamed my friend. Since then we are not (why not "have not been"?) friends any more.
You can use either "have not been" or "are not" -- both mean that you were friends, but no longer are friends.
2) I felt sorry for a friend who twisted his ankle. He's going to have problems with his left foot.
Use "that" for things; use "who" for people.
3) I last felt ashamed when I blamed my friend (better a friend) even if he hadn't done anything wrong. Shouldn't I use the past parfect "hadn't done", instead of "didn't do"?
Either one works, but "hadn't" is probably better.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sequence.htm
4) She congratulated Mark for/on passing his exam (because he passed/had passed his exam) with the highest mark. (Are all alternatives possible??)
All are possible, yes.
5) He is enthusiastic about his exam result (is it possible?). He is satisfied, delighted, pleased, content WITH (not about) his exam result. But He is happy about/with his exam result. He is cheerful about his exam result.
I'd say "exam results" even if it's only one exam, but yes, all are possible.
6) Do you "ever" prepare breakfast by yourself? Is not the same as Do you "always" prepare breakfast by yourself?
They're not quite the same, but they're close. The first asks if someone has ever done this (even once). The second is asking if he does this all the time.
2 answers