Simple grammar questions

Question

I have the same shirt and I've got the same shirt. These two sentences basically mean the same thing?

We were just wondering what kinds of shoes you have. Or should it be had? What if the speaker is still wondering what kinds of shoes the other has?

Everyone stay seated. Or Everyone stays seated? Isn't everyone supposed to be singular?

I don't know many ppl who speak ebonics. Correct?

Would it be ok if I took the car tomorrow to pick up a friend? It's a conditional sentence so took is used? Would it be ok with take?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I have the same shirt and I've got the same shirt. These two sentences basically mean the same thing? Yes

We were just wondering what kinds of shoes you have. Or should it be had? What if the speaker is still wondering what kinds of shoes the other has? 'Had' is always OK, but 'have' is OK if you are still wondering as you speak.

Everyone stay seated. Or Everyone stays seated? Isn't everyone supposed to be singular?

'Stay' is an imperative. ieg Everyone, stay seated. Do not get up.'

Or you could say

'He tells them to get up, but everyone stays seated'.

I don't know many ppl who speak ebonics. Correct? Yes

Would it be ok if I took the car tomorrow to pick up a friend? It's a conditional sentence so took is used? Yes, and it's 'hypothetical/unlikley'.

Would it be ok with take? Then say

'Will it be OK if I take the car tomorrow?'

Best wishes, Clive

Andriy Lapin · Answer

Hello, Pleasehelp,

pleasehelpI have the same shirt and I've got the same shirt.

- in terms of have/have got, they are identical, you are right. Please note that have got is commoner in BrE than in AmE. Some British speakers use have got to express the idea of momentary possession <Have you got a cold? - Yes, I have/No, I haven't>, as opposed to habitual possession <Do you have any colds?>. This distinction is disappearing under American influence, though.

pleasehelpWe were just wondering what kinds of shoes you have. Or should it be had? What if the speaker is still wondering what kinds of shoes the other has?

- if the speakers still have the question (it has current relevance), present tense is in place here.

pleasehelpEveryone stay seated. Or Everyone stays seated? Isn't everyone supposed to be singular?

- if you wish to express a command <Stay seated! -- (Everyone) stay seated! -- Everyone stay seated!>, the base form of the verb is the right option. If the sentence is merely giving some information (=it is declarative), than stays should be used, but such pronouns as anyone, everyone, no-one, despite taking a singular verb, may often be associated with plural pronouns: Everyone has already left their seats. (this device is useful if you want to avoid gender bias in pronouns)

pleasehelpI don't know many ppl who speak ebonics. Correct?

- correct. NB: people + Ebonics.

pleasehelpWould it be ok if I took the car tomorrow to pick up a friend? It's a conditional sentence so took is used? Would it be ok with take?

- Yes, this one is conditional (the if-clause). I would not substitute took with take under the given circumstances, but you could alternatively say: Will it be okay if I take the car tomorrow to pick up a friend?, which would sound less tentative.

Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

Anonymous · Answer

which is correct:

Everone stays there or everyone stayed there?

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