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Guest Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Confusing grammar
It seems to me that American people often use English grammar differently from what I learned as an ESL student ten years ago. These are a few examples I have encountered in formal bussiness communication as well as daily conversations:
"Be thinking about these issues. We will be contacting your shortly." (as opposed to "Think about these issues. We will contact you shortly.")
"The Elections Process" or "the awards ceremony" (as opposed to "the election process" or "the award ceremony")
It is really confusing as I see more of these every day. Have I been taught incorrectly? Or these are now acceptable usage?
"Be thinking about these issues. We will be contacting your shortly." (as opposed to "Think about these issues. We will contact you shortly.")
"The Elections Process" or "the awards ceremony" (as opposed to "the election process" or "the award ceremony")
It is really confusing as I see more of these every day. Have I been taught incorrectly? Or these are now acceptable usage?
Top answer
You have been perhaps taught a bit simplistically-- but then, who hasn't? It is difficult to acquire ALL the usages until you have extensive experience in the language milieu. 'Be thinking about these issues.
- You have been perhaps taught a bit simplistically-- but then, who hasn't?
- It is difficult to acquire ALL the usages until you have extensive experience in the language milieu.
- 'Be thinking about these issues.
- '-- the continuous form stresses the experience of the activity,and is often used as here to make the command more polite and the information more immediate.
- The Elections Process" or "the awards ceremony"-- here the writer/speaker is thinking of the several elections or awards that will take place.
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1 Answers
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You have been perhaps taught a bit simplistically-- but then, who hasn't? It is difficult to acquire ALL the usages until you have extensive experience in the language milieu.
'Be thinking about these issues. We will be contacting your shortly.'-- the continuous form stresses the experience of the activity,and is often used as here to make the command more polite and the information mor
'Be thinking about these issues. We will be contacting your shortly.'-- the continuous form stresses the experience of the activity,and is often used as here to make the command more polite and the information mor
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