Went back

Question

Can I say,One afternoon, John and her friends were back from the orphanage, they felt pity for them. They decided to organise a food fair to raise funds for the orphans / orphanage.They started to make cookies in the kitchen.

Fandorin · Accepted Answer

Vincent TeoCan I say,

One afternoon, John and her friends were back from the orphanage, they felt pity for them. They decided to organise a food fair to raise funds for the orphans / orphanage.They started to make cookies in the kitchen.

I guess back is not good. Behind is well. That's what you're saying, right?

Vincent Teo · Answer

Huh? do we say,

They went behind from the orphanage. (It is weird for me)

Clive · Answer

Hi,

One afternoon, after/when John and ~~her~~ his friends ~~were~~ came back from visiting the orphans ~~the orphanage,~~ they felt pity for them. They decided to organise a food fair to raise funds for them ~~the~~ ~~orphans / orphanage.~~They started to make cookies in the kitchen.

To say the first 'them', you need first to mention 'the orphans', not 'the orphanage'.

'They felt pity for them' is correct, but we more often say 'they felt sorry for them'.

Thank you for the underlining.

As you can see, there are no errors at all in the last sentence.

Clive

Clive · Answer

Hi,

They got on the bus and returned home = they came back

After they arrived home, you can say 'they were back'. ie It's a state, not an action.

Clive

Vincent Teo · Answer

Thanks, can I say,

(i) They started to do a raise fund for the orphans.

(ii) They wanted to raise fund, so they started making cookies.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

No.

(i) They started to do fund-raising for the orphans.

(ii) They wanted to raise funds, so they started making cookies.

Clive

Sunsail · Answer

Hi Clive
I read in few places that after "start" gerund is used.can you explain in which circumstances? can I say here

I started doing fund-raising...

Best Regards

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I read in few places that after "start" gerund is used.can you explain in which circumstances? can I say here
I started doing fund-raising... Yes, although the two successive gerunds are not good style.

Let's consider a simple, physical example.

Mary started to cook dinner.

Mary started cooking dinner.

I really don't see any difference here.

Best wishes, Clive

Sunsail · Answer

Hi Clive
I found this.Maybe there are better resources.
http://library.nittai.ac.jp/lib/ht/..\docs\kiyou ittai\28-2-215-218.pdf

This drew my attention " when two grammatical forms are present in a langauge,we can assume that there is a difference in the meaning.."
is that so?

Best Regards

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I found this.Maybe there are better resources.
http://library.nittai.ac.jp/lib/ht/..\docs\kiyou ittai\28-2-215-218.pdf This is a much better discussion of this matter that I can offer you. Read it carefully.

This drew my attention " when two grammatical forms are present in a langauge,we can assume that there is a difference in the meaning.."
is that so? Generally speaking, I share that opinion. Although there are some cases where I can't see any difference, others might. For my example of Mary cooking dinner, for example, the -ing form may perhaps stress the duration of what she did. And remember that other things, like the specific vocabulary involved, the context, and the tone of voice, all play a role as well.

My feeling is this. Some differences are so subtle that only people who have very good English should worry about them. Others should just be patient. English takes time.

Here's one I don't think I saw in the link.

I like dancing. I may not do or have done the activity myself. Perhaps I just like it when I see it on TV.

I like to dance. I do or have done the activity myself.

Best wishes, Clive

Went back

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