Stumped

Question

I'm trying to help out a friend who's completed some multiple choice grammar quiz. This has got me stumped:
Everyone has (a) difficulty in learning (b) difficulties to learn (c) it difficult to learn if they can't get 'hands-on' experience.
I know the answer is (a) but it would really be better if I could say why it's not (b) and (c). I just can't get my head around it. I know that if it read: 'Everyone finds...' then (c) would be OK, so is that part simply idiomatic...I'm stabbing in the dark here.

Oh, and for the brave, here's another that has given me a headache:

A lot have resigned themselves to never even (a) know (b) known (c) knowing how a computer works.

Usenet · Accepted Answer

I believe it is the verb have which likes to have a gerund close to it to sound right.
Regards

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I'm trying to help out a friend who's completed some multiple choice grammar quiz. This has got me stumped: Everyone ... read: 'Everyone finds...' then (c) would be OK, so is that part simply idiomatic...I'm stabbing in the dark here. [/nq]
You gotta be kidding! Whose grammar quiz was it, an illiterate's?

Neither choice is correct
"Everyone" is singular and "they" is plural, enough said

And the quotation marks around "hands-on" are unnecessary

Correct: "Everyone will have difficulty learning if he can't get hands-on experience"
And don't give me any of the PC stuff, please!
I believe "will have" instead of "has" is necessary but I don't know the exact grammar rule that applies
[nq:1]Oh, and for the brave, here's another that has given me a headache: A lot have resigned themselves to never even (a) know (b) known (c) knowing how a computer works.[/nq]
Another joke, right?
First, a lot of ...what? Geese?
Then "to never", is a split infinitive
And the "even" is superfluous and awkward
Correct: "A lot of people have resigned themselves never to know how a computer works"
Bob G

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I'm trying to help out a friend who's completed some multiple choice grammar quiz. This has got me stumped: Everyone ... it read: 'Everyone finds...' then (c) would be OK, so is that part simply idiomatic...I'm stabbing in the dark here.[/nq]
Yes, "simply idiomatic" is a good answer. We "have difficulty in Xing" something. Or we "find it difficult to X" something.

I wonder if it depends on "difficult/difficulty." I don't think so.

She has luck in finding parking places.
She finds it easy to park.
I have trouble sleeping.
I find it hard to sleep.
[nq:1]Oh, and for the brave, here's another that has given me a headache: A lot have resigned themselves to never even (a) know (b) known (c) knowing how a computer works.[/nq]
(c) knowing how. You resign yourself "to" things, followed by the -ing form (you can call it a gerund). Here's a similar verb:

She dedicated herself to finding a cure for cancer.

I can't think of other examples, though. There must be some.

Best Donna Richoux

Usenet · Answer

(without bothering to include the attribution to "lee", who is the OP)
[nq:2]I'm trying to help out a friend who's completed some ... is that part simply idiomatic...I'm stabbing in the dark here.[/nq]
To deal with this first, different English verbs accept different complements (grammatical structures that follow them). Simple example (where the asterisk indicates a sentence that is not idiomatic in English):
I am able to learn.
*I am capable to learn.
*I am able of learning.
I am capable of learning.
"Able" takes the infinitive with "to" as its complement. "Capable" takes a prepositional phrase beginning with "of." That's how the language works. There's little if any underlying logic. It's just how the language works.
"A" is the right answer in your question because it is the one that follows English idiom. There is no deeper logic.
(And now back to Bob G.)
[nq:1]You gotta be kidding! Whose grammar quiz was it, an illiterate's? Neither choice is correct "Everyone" is singular and "they" is plural, enough said[/nq]
Oh, no, more than enough said. The AUE FAQ specifically asks people not to open issues like "singular they," which lead every time to circular arguments and are never resolved:
. We now know your position, TYVM. Move along, please.
[nq:1]And the quotation marks around "hands-on" are unnecessary[/nq]
But not wrong. To an English learner, this particular idiom may seem to call for quotation marks. I wouldn't use them, but I can understand why someone writing a test for English students would do so.
[nq:1]Correct: "Everyone will have difficulty learning if he can't get hands-on experience"[/nq]
Don't bet your last Grateful Dead t-shirt on that.

Consider instead: "All people have difficulty learning if they can't get hands-on experience." Or "Anyone has (or "will have") difficulty learning if unable to get hands-on experience." The write-around is alive and well.
[nq:1]And don't give me any of the PC stuff, please![/nq]
There is none so ignorant as the person who will not even entertain the question. Perhaps the question has already considered how entertaining you are and found you wanting.
[nq:1]I believe "will have" instead of "has" is necessary but I don't know the exact grammar rule that applies[/nq]
It's not grammar, it's usage, and either is right.
[nq:1] [/nq]
[nq:2]Oh, and for the brave, here's another that has given ... (a) know (b) known (c) knowing how a computer works.[/nq]
The answer is "c", but let's let Bob G. have his fun:
[nq:1]Another joke, right? First, a lot of ...what? Geese?[/nq]
There is such a thing as inference. I infer "people" or "students." If you prefer to infer "geese," honk ahead.
[nq:1]Then "to never", is a split infinitive[/nq]
Oh my ***. A split infinitive! We invaded Iraq over less. Why not have a look at
? Be sure to read the last paragraph, preferably twice.
[nq:1]And the "even" is superfluous and awkward[/nq]
Yes, it is. You can't get 'em all wrong.
New thought: Did anyone ever tell you that sentences must have a punctuation mark at the end, usually a period ("."), although question marks and exclamation marks are also used in appropriate situations. I fear that this ruls is so elementary that not even the AUE FAQ bothers with it, but I believe it to be true. Certainly it's followed by the posters to this newsgroup.
[nq:1]Correct: "A lot of people have resigned themselves never to know how a computer works"[/nq]
Terrible. For one thing, the infinitive with "to" is not a proper complement for "resigned themselves." You need the preposition "to" with an object "They have resigned themselves to an utter lack of grammatical knowledge." This being the case, you can have idiomatic usage without a split infinitive: "A lot of people have resigned themselves (or "are resigned") to never knowing how a computer works." If yuu think there's a split infinitive there, read the FAQ item again before responding.
And think about removing the chip from your shoulder. This poor guy you jumped all over is either a non-native speaker or someone in desperate need of help with English usage or both. It is the ethos of this newsgroup that we don't make fun of people like that. Are you the kind of person we make fun of? 'Sup to you.

Bob Lieblich
Having no fun

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Oh, and for the brave, here's another that has given ... (a) know (b) known (c) knowing how a computer works.[/nq]
[nq:1](c) knowing how. You resign yourself "to" things, followed by the -ing form (you can call it a gerund). Here's a similar verb: She dedicated herself to finding a cure for cancer.[/nq]
Right on, Donna. But note that other nouns than "ing" forms can follow the preposition "to" after "resign" or "dedicate" with a reflexive: "I resigned myself a long wait at the ATM." "I dedicated myself to my family."
[nq:1]I can't think of other examples, though. There must be some.[/nq]
Anyone got McCawley's book?

Bob Lieblich
Who does not have McCawley's book

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]And think about removing the chip from your shoulder. This poor guy you jumped all over is either a non-native ... but rather of the person who devised the "grammar" quiz - he should be in some other line of work[/nq]
As you're having a good time demolishing my authoritative tone (and *** knows I'm guilty of that!), so was I demolishing his
[nq:1]New thought: Did anyone ever tell you that sentences must have a punctuation mark at the end, usually a period (".") I quit using periods after sentences that are not followed by others or are followed by a new paragraph. It's just my impishness[/nq]
I'm also in favor of eliminating apostrophes and other punctuation marks, unless they're necessary to avoid equivocation
The eternal struggle between "its" and "it's", for instance, would be forever eliminated, and no one would be shown up as ignorant for confusing the two

Ditto for the apostrophe-s at the end of nouns to signify the plural

In opposition to that, I recall Mark Twain wrote a wonderfully funny paragraph about word spellings (I believe), prompted I suppose by some contemporary fools' (like me!) suggestions about how to improve the written language. I wish someone would post it!
Bob G

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]In opposition to that, I recall Mark Twain wrote a wonderfully funny paragraph about word spellings (I believe), prompted I suppose by some contemporary fools' (like me!) suggestions about how to improve the written language. I wish someone would post it![/nq]
The content of the second parenthetical expression should have been "like mine!" There are a couple of commas missing up there also, but such is life. Advising people on good English usage, and following it up with one's own, isn't all that easy.

Skitt (in SF Bay Area) http://www.geocities.com/opus731/ I speak English well I learn it from a book!
Manuel (Fawlty Towers)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]In opposition to that, I recall Mark Twain wrote a wonderfully funny paragraph about word spellings (I believe), prompted I suppose by some contemporary fools' (like me!) suggestions about how to improve the written language. I wish someone would post it![/nq]
There's a humorous passage about spelling that is often wrongly attributed to Mark Twain; I don't know if that is what you are thinking of. This is what you'll find in our Intro E (and I strongly suggest you read through the Intro Documents if you haven't yet; they are posted here regularly and also appear at our website,
http://www.alt-usage-english.org/)
QUOTE FROM INTRO E

Joke about step-by-step spelling reform

Three versions of this joke, in which spelling reforms are proposed and then made in the course of the article itself, are in circulation. They can be found on the Web, so please don't post any to a.u.e.

(1) A plan for the improvement of spelling, by M. J. Shields http://www.ojohaven.com/fun/spelling.html
(M. J. Shields was a critic of G. B. Shaw's spelling reform ideas, according to the book "Another Almanac of Words at Play" (William Espy, 1980, p. 80). Many web sites attribute this piece to Mark Twain, but Twain scholars at the University of California could find no supporting evidence for that.)
(2) MEIHEM IN CE KLASRUM by Dolton Edwards (in Astounding SF 1946) http://www.ndirect.co.uk/~mjm62gwg/humour9.htm
(3) The European Commission has just announced...
http://www.speedybar.ch/witze/jokes2000/spelling.html

Best wishes Donna Richoux

Usenet · Answer

?Thanks. I my other experiences in usenet, I have been castigated for
[nq:1]including parts of the post. I shall endeavor to do as the group wishes. Thanks you for you input and information. I appreciate it, Sorry I gotthe wrong Bob"[/nq]
"Hi Tim
That was neat, the way you didn't include any of
the post you were responding to in a post that was promising to do just that. But I know what you mean about some newsgroups and discussion lists being more touchy about this than others.
Here, a good approach is to quote the smallest amount of text that you can, while still giving enough context to enable a reader of your post to comprehend what you are responding to without having to backtrack in the thread.
This requires extra work sometimes. You may need to pull out chunks from the middle of someone's post
in order to quote the beginning and end. But your readers will appreciate it, and that's what counts.
Of course, you must indicate where you have removed text, to avoid the appearance of tampering and misrepresentation. It all boils down to respect for others for your readers (who are short on time but willing to give you a listen if you don't annoy them) and for your correspondents (who don't mind having their words abridged but hate having them distorted to make someone else look good.)

Michael West
Melbourne, Australia"
Hi All,
I would like to conform but since there are over fifty responses I cannot select just one to respond to. (Cf . Messers Strunk and White). However, I have selected one by M.W...with apologies to him in advance.

I will then say that I am enjoying this group but I must do a search on Alta-vista for "Skin Thickener". I guess I must also secure an anti-typo talisman of some sort.
Regards,
Tim
Mr. Misspelling aka "the gerund user"
Have at me folks!!

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]?Thanks. I my other experiences in usenet, I have been castigated for[/nq]
Thanks, Tim. Your apology is courteous but not necessary. What might help, though, is some careful trimming of a quoted post, leaving only that which is essential to understanding the point that you are making. (Sheesh! We're a buncha tight-*****, aren't we!)
Keep that Strunk & White handy it gives good usage.
Michael West
Melbourne, Australia

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