English Language Learners Stack Exchange
English Language Learners Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [grammar]

This tag is for grammar questions, but only if you're not certain what other tag to use. If possible, tag as tense, verb, articles, prepositions, or some other more specific tag or tags instead.

This tag is currently in the process of being overhauled because it's usually too general. Avoid using it if possible.

12873 questions
14
votes
4 answers

Difference between "I like swimming" and "I like to swim"?

So what is the difference between "I like swimming" and "I like to swim"? Do they mean the same?
Rifpan Afriansyah
  • 189
  • 1
  • 1
  • 8
12
votes
2 answers

What is the difference between 'stand' and 'take a stand'?

1.You had to take a stand. 2.You had to stand. What is the difference between 'stand' and 'take a stand' in meaning?
박용현
  • 3,321
  • 14
  • 55
  • 101
10
votes
7 answers

My friends and I went snowboarding

When I say My friends and I went snowboarding. somebody said to me there is a grammar mistake in my sentence but I could not figure out what it is. What is the grammar mistake in the sentence? Should it be I and my friends went snowboarding.
Mrt
  • 10,951
  • 65
  • 176
  • 257
8
votes
1 answer

Singular or plural form before the word set / list

I have been always confused which is proper to use: singular or plural form before the word set, list, or container of multiple things? For example: values set or it should be value set key list or keys list integer set or integers set
Stas
  • 181
  • 1
  • 2
8
votes
3 answers

"during cleaning the room" is grammatically wrong?

I was told that "during cleaning the room" was not a correct expression. I don't see why. Could you explain the reason the expression is worng? I am curious about the correct usage of "during" One mentioned in a comment that "while cleaning the…
Mason
  • 81
  • 1
8
votes
5 answers

Less than half vs fewer than one third

From a CNBC article today (Amid inflation and market volatility, just 12% of adults — and 29% of millionaires — feel ‘wealthy’): Less than one-quarter, or 23%, of more than 2,000 adults polled earlier this fall said they felt “very comfortable”…
Sam Russell
  • 131
  • 4
8
votes
4 answers

I was waiting for 45 minutes

Yesterday Peter and I made an appointment that we would meet at a cafe for a talk. But he hadn't shown up until I left. Today when I met him, I complained, I waited for 45 minutes. I was waiting for 45 minutes. What are their differences?
Stephen
  • 1,565
  • 5
  • 22
8
votes
1 answer

"I feel well" vs "I feel good"?

"I feel well" and "I feel good" these both sentences are used occasionally, but what is difference between them. I mean when someone ask to a patient "How are you feeling now" and he replies "I feel well" or "I feel good" then the person who is…
thirsty soul
  • 309
  • 1
  • 5
  • 9
7
votes
2 answers

Possible grammar error in textbook by National Geographic

I came across this sentence in a textbook called Reading Explorer (Level 2, 3rd edition, page 31) published by National Geographic. I think the verb here should be the past form "sang" instead of p.p. "sung". I hope this can be justified and if not,…
SeriousJ
  • 71
  • 1
7
votes
2 answers

Why can “I want to X” turn into “I want to” but “I look forward to X” cannot become “I look forward to”?

The following are correct: I want to eat this. I want to! (e.g. in response to a suggestion) I forgot to do it. I forgot to! (e.g. in response to “Did you do it?”) However, while the following are correct: I look forward to eating. I look forward…
localflorist
7
votes
2 answers

What's the purpose of "by" in "Stop back by"?

These are transcriptions from Sling Blade (1996): Bill, I'll see you. Okay. Stop back by. What's the purpose of "by"?
Ken James
  • 303
  • 2
  • 8
7
votes
4 answers

Founding? Is it wrong or right?

One of my Japanese students said the following today when we were practicing for an MBA interview. "I want to founding my own venture in the future" I corrected it automatically to "I want to find my own venture...". Also, I felt that "launch" or…
Anna
  • 637
  • 5
  • 13
  • 17
6
votes
4 answers

Can I use "who when" together?

For example: I hope there is at least 1 person who when (s/he) sees the quality of final outcome, s/he will be delighted... is this possible and if not what could be the appropriate structure that allows such use of "who when" together? thank you
Ceyhun Özsoylu
  • 535
  • 2
  • 15
  • 26
6
votes
2 answers

Confusion about the use of 'quite' in 'quite a bit', 'quite a few', and 'quite a lot'

I have a hard time understanding some definitions and usage of quite in English Grammar Today (via Cambridge Dictionaries Online). The explanation is as follows: Quite a bit, quite a few, quite a lot We often use quite with a bit, a few and a lot…
yubraj
  • 2,808
  • 22
  • 74
  • 112
6
votes
2 answers

"Subject + Be" vs. "Subject + Being"

I don't see things will improve anytime soon. I don't see things improving anytime soon. I don't see things are improving anytime soon. I don't see things are going to improve anytime soon. So I'm wondering which one of those above is correct?…
johnchae
  • 83
  • 2
  • 7
1
2 3
…
99 100