0
Hans51 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Two tricky questions.
I have been really impressed by a lot of great people. How can I thank you all enough. Today, I would like to ask some tricky questions. Even I do not know how to ask the question, but I will do my best.
"I do not like people talking about me behind my back."
I think the sentence could be understood in two ways.
1) "I do not like people who talk about me behind my back."
2) "I do not like people or people's talking about me behind my back."
Here "people or people's" was used as a placeholder, so the sentence means "I do not like it when people talk about me behind my back. What do you think?
Another is whether this sentence, "If I can help you, I would do that" makes sense or not. Although I heard of some sentences written in the forms, I do not think the form is correct.
Thank you as always and hope to get your great opinions.
"I do not like people talking about me behind my back."
I think the sentence could be understood in two ways.
1) "I do not like people who talk about me behind my back."
2) "I do not like people or people's talking about me behind my back."
Here "people or people's" was used as a placeholder, so the sentence means "I do not like it when people talk about me behind my back. What do you think?
Another is whether this sentence, "If I can help you, I would do that" makes sense or not. Although I heard of some sentences written in the forms, I do not think the form is correct.
Thank you as always and hope to get your great opinions.
Top answer
" Here "people or people's" was used as a placeholder, so the sentence means "I do not like it when people talk about me behind my back. - - It only means #2 Another is whether this sentence, "If I can help you, I would do that" makes sense or not. -- It may have limited use as a mixed conditional, but generally it would be inappropriate.
- " Here "people or people's" was used as a placeholder, so the sentence means "I do not like it when people talk about me behind my back.
- - - It only means #2 Another is whether this sentence, "If I can help you, I would do that" makes sense or not.
- -- It may have limited use as a mixed conditional, but generally it would be inappropriate.
- These are the usual choices: If I could help you, I would do that If I can help you, I will do that
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
"I do not like people talking about me behind my back."
2) "I do not like people or people's talking about me behind my back."
Here "people or people's" was used as a placeholder, so the sentence means "I do not like it when people talk about me behind my back. What do you think?-- It only means #2
Another is whether this sentence, "If I can help you, I would do that" makes
2) "I do not like people or people's talking about me behind my back."
Here "people or people's" was used as a placeholder, so the sentence means "I do not like it when people talk about me behind my back. What do you think?-- It only means #2
Another is whether this sentence, "If I can help you, I would do that" makes
00
Thank you, sir as usual. Then, are sentences like this, "I like someone who speaks English ( someone speaking English )" not possible? Or just the meaning of the example in the first is awkward? Sorry, I am a little bit confused now.
00
I fail to see the connection; you must deal in reasonable semantics as well. 'Speaking English' is an ability, while 'talking behind one's back' is a specific action.
I like someone who speaks English = I like English speakers
I like someone speaking English = Very odd indeed. You either like the people around you speaking English or you don't. 'Someone' in its sense
I like someone who speaks English = I like English speakers
I like someone speaking English = Very odd indeed. You either like the people around you speaking English or you don't. 'Someone' in its sense
0
Related Questions