QUESTION

"I am a very versatile person." Is this grammatically correct?

While the statement “I am a very versatile person” is grammatically correct, it is a very clunky way of stating your ability.
“Versatile” refers to the quality of performing a wide range of tasks or adapting to a wide range of situations without difficulty. To add “very” to it is like adding a cup of water to a brimming swimming pool. The word already points to an indefinitely broad quality. “Very” doesn’t do anything here.
This is similar to saying “very perfect.” It’s grammatically correct but linguistically, it’s not right at all. “Perfect” already implies a fully accomplished rank so adding “very” is redundant.

▪️versatile [ˊvɜ:sətaɪl] a
1) многосторо́нний; ги́бкий;
•versatile talent разносторо́нний тала́нт;
•versatile mind ги́бкий ум
2) уст. непостоя́нный, изме́нчивый

#Mohammad_AbuBakar
⭕️Unknown English

QUESTION

Is it grammatically correct to say “I am having” in English? I saw a lot of people doing it.

The verb “to have” has several meanings and uses. For some meanings and uses, we do not use the continuous form, but for other meanings and uses we do use the continuous form. The topic is vast and complex and the best we can do here is provide some general descriptions of various usages.

(1) “TO HAVE” MEANING “TO POSSESS”, “TO OWN”:
For this meaning, we do not use the continuous form, since possessing or owning is already a continuous or ongoing state. We can possess or own something only over a period of time. We cannot possess or own something for only a moment (one point in time). So, “to have” in this sense is already continuousfrom the very beginning and it is therefore unnecessary to differentiate between the “simple” form and the “continuous” form.
Here are some examples:
• Mona has two brothers and a sister. (✔) → Mona is having two brothers and a sister. (X)
• She has brown eyes and long dark hair. (✔) → She is having brown eyes and long dark hair. (X)
• My brother had a motorbike when he was in college. (✔) → My brother was having a motorbike when he was in college. (X)
• Our country will have freedom when this government is overthrown. (✔) → Our country will be having freedom when this government is overthrown. (X)

#Mike_Mendis
⭕️Unknown English

(2) “TO HAVE” MEANING “TO EAT”, “TO DRINK”, “TO CONSUME”
For this meaning we use the continuous form, not the simple form, when we are talking about a specific situation. We use the simple form only when we are making a general statement. This is because the actions of eating and drinking can be started and stopped, and we can control how long the action continues, and the action automatically comes to an end at some point. This is different from the state of possessing or owning, which often cannot be started and stopped and started again, or controlled by us according to our wishes.
Here are some examples:
• We are having chicken for supper tonight.(✔) (→ specific situation) → We have chicken for supper tonight. (X) → We have chicken for supper about twice a week. (✔) (→ general statement)
• What are you having, tea or coffee? (✔) (→ specific situation) → What do you have, tea or coffee? (X) → What do you usually have for breakfast, tea or coffee? (✔) (→ general statement)
• We are having lunch at the moment. Can you call back later? (✔) (→ specific situation) → We have lunch at the moment. Can you call back later? (X) → We usually have lunch at about one o’clock. (✔) (→ general statement)

#Mike_Mendis
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(3) “TO HAVE” USED AS A CAUSATIVE VERB:
When “to have” is used as a causative verb, we use the continuous form for a specific situation and the simple form for a general statement (as we do with any ordinary action verb).
Here are some examples:
• We are having our house renovated, so we have to stay at a hotel for a couple of weeks.(✔) → We have our house renovated, so we have to stay at a hotel for a couple of weeks. (X)
• We have our house repainted every seven years. (✔) → We are having our house repainted every seven years. (X)
• Have you heard the latest? The school is having the teachers check their students’ hair for lice. (✔) → Have you heard the latest? The school has the teachers check their students’ hair for lice. (X)
• In the Netherlands, primary schools regularly have special checkers check the students’ hair for lice during the first week after a major school holiday. (✔) → In the Netherlands, primary schools regularly are having special checkers check the students’ hair for lice during the first week after a major school holiday. (X)

#Mike_Mendis
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(4) “TO HAVE” MEANING “TO EXPERIENCE” OR “TO UNDERGO” OR “TO BE IN SOME STATE”:
The use of “to have” with this meaning is somewhat irregular, since there is no pattern for the use of the simple form versus the continuous form.
For internal states or experiences generally, we do not use the continuous form:
• I have a headache, so I’m going to lie down for a bit. (✔) → I am having a headache, so I’m going to lie down for a bit. (X)
• She fainted because she had a terrible shock. (✔) → She fainted because she was having a terrible shock. (X)
• My cat has an itch behind his right ear that he is trying to scratch. (✔) → My cat is having an itch behind his right ear that he is trying to scratch. (X)
For external experiences or states caused by some external cause, we use the continuous form for a specific situation, and the simple form for a general statement:
• He is having a shower right now and cannot come to the phone. (✔) → He has a shower right now and cannot come to the phone. (X)
• He has a shower as soon as he gets back from his jog every morning. (✔) (→ general statement) → He is having a shower as soon as he gets back from his jog every morning. (X)
• I am having an extraction at the dentist’s this afternoon. (✔) → I have an extraction at the dentist’s the afternoon. (X)
• We are having fun at the party, so we won’t be back home until late tonight. (✔) → We have fun at the party, so we won’t be back home until late tonight. (X)
• We always have fun at Liza’s parties. (✔) (→ general statement) → We are always having fun at Liza’s parties. (X)

#Mike_Mendis
⭕️Unknown English

QUESTION

Why is it "smell good" but not "smell well"?

Actually, both of these are valid phrases. However, they are used for different purposes.

A person “smells good” when they are exuding a pleasant odor.
A person “smells well” when their sense of smell is working fine, and they have no trouble detecting different fragrances and odors.
What we can’t do is tell someone they “smell well” in the same way that we tell them that they “look well.” It would be strange and unusual.
For instance, “Hey John. You look well,” is fine because the person could be looking chirpy and healthy.
But, “Hey John. You smell well,” will be strange, even if the person is giving off a nice fragrance. Instead, “Hey John. You smell good,” will be suitable.

▪️exude [ɪgˊzju:d] v
1) выделя́ть(ся)
2) распространя́ть вокру́г себя́
▪️chirpy [ˊtʃɜ:pɪ] a
разг. живо́й, весёлый

#Mohammad_AbuBakar
⭕️Unknown English

QUESTION

Is it grammatically correct to say “I will support you in whatever way you need me”?

Yes, it is grammatically correct as it stands. However, I would add one word to make the second part of the sentence more solid: “I will support you in whatever way you may need me.

#Frank_Dauenhauer
⭕️Unknown English

QUESTION

Is the sentence grammatically correct, "I had seen him yesterday"?

No. The past perfect tense (in this case, “had seen”) is reserved for sentences that contain two interrelated events that happened in the past. This sentence contains only one event.
To be grammatically correct, the sentence should be: “I saw him yesterday.” This uses the simple past tense

#Frank_Dauenhauer
⭕️Unknown English

QUESTION

Which is correct, “I will go to school” or “I am going to school” and why?

I will go to school. If I want to. If I have to. If I must. When I’m the right age. Etc.
I am going to school. Like, right now. I didn’t feel like it, but I’ve made my mind up: I am actually on my way (it’s not that far). Etc.
It all depends on the context, kid. Check a grammar.

#Ruud_Moret
⭕️Unknown English

QUESTION

Do you say "in a boat" or "on a boat"? If they are both correct, are there any differences in their usage?

Both are correct depending on the context.
Let me demystify the rule here:
When you are "in the boat", it means you are getting directly to the seat. You don't have enough space to walk around.
When you are" on the boat" it means you find space to stand and walk.
• They are celebrating on the boat.

The same implies with the chair. If it's a flat chair you sit on it. If it's something that covers you from almost three sides you sit in it. Personally, I'd say that you sitin a driving seat, but on an armchair.

#Monika_Rai
⭕️Unknown English

QUESTION

Which preposition is correct for this sentence? "Alan is terribly sorry for/about being rude to his friends."

Technically, the correct preposition is “about”. However, many native English speakers use “for” in a situation like this one, even though it is technically incorrect. You cannot always go by what native English speakers say when you are doing a test.

The difference between “to be sorry for” and “to be sorry about” is that:
• in the phrase “to be sorry for”, the adjective“sorry” means “having a feeling of pity or sympathy”, and therefore the object of “for” is always a person
• in the phrase “to be sorry about” the adjective “sorry” means “having a feeling of regret or remorse”, and therefore the object of “about” is the thing that we did wrong that is causing us to feel regret or remorse, or the bad thing that happenedthat we feel should not have happened
As you can see “to be sorry for” and “to be sorry about” mean two very different things because they are referring to two very different emotions—sympathy or pity in the first case, and regret or remorse in the second case.
In the sentence about Alan, “being rude to his friends” is the “wrong” thing that he regrets doing, so the logically correct preposition is “about”:
• Alan is terribly sorry about being rude to his friends.

#Mike_Mendis
⭕️Unknown English

DAWDLE
dɔːdl

медлить; мешкать

~ Taking your time when you should hurry. To move or act too slowly.

EXAMPLE:
•Stop dawdling or we'll be late.

⭕️Unknown English

QUESTION

Which sentence is correct? “Peter said he prefers swimming to yachting.” or “Peter said that he prefers swimming to yachting.”

Both are correct. The first one is just a shortened form of the second one. The original sentence structure is:
• X (said) that Y. (We can use other verbs in the place of “said”.)
In this sentence structure, “that Y” is a noun clause serving as the direct object in the sentence, and the word “that” is used to introduce the noun clause. In some cases, when the verb is “said”, “know”, “think”, “believe”, and so on, we can shorten the noun clause in this particular structure by dropping the word “that”, since it is understood to be there, even if we do not say it. Here are some examples of other noun clauses in which “that” can be omitted:
• I know [that] you are angry about what happened.
• They think [that] she is leaving town because of what happened.
• He believes [that] he was abducted by aliens.
• Do you hope [that] they will come back tonight?
• She wished [that] he would stop bothering her.
However, with some action verbs, the word “that” cannot —and should not— be omitted from the noun clause in this structure. Here are some examples:
• He declared that the end of the world was near.
• The king proclaimed that all the prisoners would be set free.
• They announced that they were getting married.
• The police investigation determined that the death was accidental.
• The school principal emphasized that violence would not be tolerated on the school premises.
So, you have to be careful about how and when you omit the word “that”. The safest thing for you, as a non-native English speaker, is to use “that” in all cases. That way, you will never be wrong.

#Mike_Mendis
⭕️Unknown English

QUESTION

Why is it wrong to say "if I would have"?

It is wrong because it precludes the second clause of the sentence from being correct. The first clause of a conditional (“If”) sentence should be in the subjunctive mood,¹ i.e., “If I had …,” not “If I would have ….” The second clause in the sentence contains the intended action hypothesized in the first clause, i.e., I would ….”
You have not provided a sample sentence, only a phrase, so I will postulate a few example sentences:
• “If I had that kind of money, I would probably give it away.”
• “If I had known about compounding interest, I never would have taken on massive student loan debt.”
• “If I had kept my place in the factory, how much better off would I have been?”

#Frank_Dauenhauer
⭕️Unknown English

QUESTION

Whats the difference between "to be able to" and "can"?

The first difference to understand is the difference in grammar. “Can” is a “helping verb” (technically known as a “modal auxiliary verb”) and “to be able to” is not. This difference should be obvious from the fact that we use the infinitive (“to + VERB”) form “to be” in the phrase “to be able to”, but there is no infinitive form for “can” (because it is a helping verb) – we cannot say “to can [do sth.]” (X). So, when we use “to be able to” in a sentence, the main verb is “to be”, but when we use “can” in a sentence, the main verb is the verb that comes after “can”. This should make it clear:
• I can reach the top shelf without a stepladder. (main verb = “reach”)
• I am able to reach the top shelf without a stepladder. (main verb = “am”—”able” is an adjective doing the work of the subjective complement and “to reach” is an infinitive modifying “able”)
The other difference is the range of meanings (or uses) of “can” and “to be able to”. “To be able to” shows only ability and nothing else. “Can”, on the other hand, is used in a number of ways.
USES OF “CAN”
1. to show ability: “I can speak three languages.”
2. to show possibility: “You can win the race if you keep up with your training and exercise routine.”
3. to give permission: “You can go to the party tonight, but you must be back before 11 o’clock.”
4. to make a polite offer: “Can I help you?”
5. to make a polite request: “Can you give me a hand with these suitcases?”
6. to make a polite suggestion: “Can I interest you in anything on our dessert menu?”
7. to say that something is allowable or allowed: “Children can enter without a ticket, but adults have to pay.” Or: “Such minor errors can be overlooked, but major errors must be penalised.”
As you can see, there is a considerable difference between “to be able to” and “can”.

#Mike_Mendis
⭕️Unknown English

DARN
dɑ:n

1. n зашто́панное ме́сто; што́пка
2. v што́пать; чини́ть

~ Repair by sewing; Sewing that repairs a worn or torn hole (especially in a garment)

• Darn socks

⭕️Unknown English