Posted by Racer on July 24, 2005, at 12:42:27
In reply to Re: Need an english teacher ;-) » ed_uk, posted by Maximus on July 24, 2005, at 11:13:21
> > >Certain words are universal, isn't it?
> >
> > You mean.....
> >
> > Certain words are universal, aren't they???
>
>
> Hé! Hé! I thought i could use - isn't it - every time ;-P
>
> They are universal. Are not they?
"Are they not?" The syntax is the hardest, is it not?As for the basic concept here, it's about making sure that the whole sentence is in agreement: if you start with a plural (they), you gotta end with a plural and a matching verb (they...are).
Of course, back when I was in college, that was something that drove the English professors out of their minds! Half the undergraduates couldn't manage that themselves. The native speakers of American English. A couple accused me of not being a native speaker, because I was more careful. (My aunt is the chief of the Grammar Police, as far as I can tell. She drilled it in to my skull...)
Good job!
poster:Racer
thread:532248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050719/msgs/532721.html