Let's take a look at those little words called prepositions (on, in, to, out, for, through, behind, etc.). But as today is a quick lesso...
Q&A
Question & Answer Forum for faithful, English Language Meeting Point Readers: Leave your doubts, questions, or concerns below, and I'll get right back to you!
This is a question of word collocation (the correct combination of words), a difficult topic because one cannot simply find the answer in a dictionary.
"Aim" is not used with "achieve" or "reach". "Aim" does not take a verb unless it's used for aiming a gun (take aim). "Aim" is used with the infinitive (to+verb).
Ex. The company's aim for 2012 is to expand operations in Brazil. The prior aim of government reforms is to widen the tax base.
"Reach" and "achieve" are most commonly used with "goal" or "objective":
Ex. Once we reach our first goal, then we can discuess further changes. The company achieved its objective sooner than anticipated.
Hello Faithful Reader! Of course I can explain the meaning of bubbly...it comes from the noun, bubble (as in bubble bath), and we use it to describe things like bubbly(carbonated) champagne or bubbly clouds. We also use it to describe personalities, such as a person who has a light, bright, optimistic, joyful and cheerful disposition ;)
Short Answer: Your Board of Governors HAS approved the 2014 bylaws...because the subject is "Board", not "Governors", and Board is 3rd person singular. However, there is some flexibility here; for example, if you wish to emphasize the governors as multiple individuals rather than the collective unit of the board, you can use The Board of Governers HAVE, but most of the time in American English, we use HAS. British English more than often uses HAVE.
You use have had with the present perfect and had had with the past perfect. Ex. I have had the flu for five days. (I still have the flu.) Ex. I had had the flu before getting back from vacation. (There are two actions, having the flu and returning from vacation. The flu happened first and I no longer have it...) Search the present perfect and past perfect on my blog.
Use HAS anyone...? Anyone is singular, just as anybody, someone, somebody, nobody...etc. Just remember that "body" and "one" are singular, so you must use the 3rd person singular form. Hope this helps!
Which is correct in this sentence (has or have?): She has seen us through some of the worst days of our lives, and her compassion, dedication and professionalism (have/has) always made them a little better.
Hello Connie, just getting back to you now! The correct verb is have because you are referring to three qualities and not just "professionalism" so it would be the plural form: have.
I do I know when to put i before e or i after e?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question!...which is why there is a general rule (and rhyming mneumonic device) that we all learned as children:
ReplyDelete*'i' comes before 'e' except after 'c', or when the sound is ay (long a sound) as in neighbor and weigh*
Here are some examples of ei after 'c':
receive, deceive, perceive, ceiling, conceit, deceit...
And here are some examples of ie without 'c':
believe, friend, piece, thief, yield, achieve, relieve...
But be careful with this rule, as there are EXCEPTIONS
Here are exceptions with ei: heir, their, either, neither, caffeine, weird, counterfeit, atheism, conscience, foreign,...
And here are exceptions with ie: science, society, species, sufficient, ancient, efficiencies, proficient, fancier, happier...
I hope this helps answer your question. The rule is a good one to follow when keeping in mind these exceptions.
HI Megan! every time i´m not sure when to use "achieve" and when "reach".. e.g. i reach my aims or i achieve my aims? is there a rule for it?
ReplyDeleteHello Reader!
ReplyDeleteThis is a question of word collocation (the correct combination of words), a difficult topic because one cannot simply find the answer in a dictionary.
"Aim" is not used with "achieve" or "reach". "Aim" does not take a verb unless it's used for aiming a gun (take aim). "Aim" is used with the infinitive (to+verb).
Ex. The company's aim for 2012 is to expand operations in Brazil.
The prior aim of government reforms is to widen the tax base.
"Reach" and "achieve" are most commonly used with "goal" or "objective":
Ex. Once we reach our first goal, then we can discuess further changes.
The company achieved its objective sooner than anticipated.
Thanks for posting!
Hello, Megan!
ReplyDeleteCan you explain me the meaning of the word "bubbly" and describe some situations where it can be used.
Hello Faithful Reader! Of course I can explain the meaning of bubbly...it comes from the noun, bubble (as in bubble bath), and we use it to describe things like bubbly(carbonated) champagne or bubbly clouds. We also use it to describe personalities, such as a person who has a light, bright, optimistic, joyful and cheerful disposition ;)
ReplyDeleteHello....
ReplyDeleteI want to know the use of prepositions.
Hello Reader, Here are 10 verb-preposition combinations you must know. I hope this answers your question!
Deletehttp://eslmeetingpoint.blogspot.pt/2014/02/verb-preposition-combinations-for.html
Which is correct:
ReplyDeleteYour Board of Governors has approved the 2014 Bylaws. or
Your Board of Governors have approved the 2014 Bylaws.
Short Answer: Your Board of Governors HAS approved the 2014 bylaws...because the subject is "Board", not "Governors", and Board is 3rd person singular. However, there is some flexibility here; for example, if you wish to emphasize the governors as multiple individuals rather than the collective unit of the board, you can use The Board of Governers HAVE, but most of the time in American English, we use HAS. British English more than often uses HAVE.
ReplyDeleteHi Megan,
ReplyDeleteCan u pls explain the difference between past and present perfect,also its usage of verb.
hiii...i want to know when to use "have had" and "had had"???
ReplyDeletehiii...i want to know when to use "have had" and "had had"???
ReplyDeleteYou use have had with the present perfect and had had with the past perfect. Ex. I have had the flu for five days. (I still have the flu.) Ex. I had had the flu before getting back from vacation. (There are two actions, having the flu and returning from vacation. The flu happened first and I no longer have it...) Search the present perfect and past perfect on my blog.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWould the correct word he has or have:
The Frank Family has enjoyed making or
The Frank Family have enjoyed?
should i use 'have anyone registered for.....' or ' has anyone registered for .....'
ReplyDeleteUse HAS anyone...? Anyone is singular, just as anybody, someone, somebody, nobody...etc. Just remember that "body" and "one" are singular, so you must use the 3rd person singular form. Hope this helps!
DeleteHi Megan..! Can i ask?is this sentence is correct?please answer thank you
ReplyDelete(Your touching story has made me cry all the way)is this correct?
Your love and friendship has helped us become who we are. or Your love and friendship have helped us become who we are.
ReplyDeleteYour love AND friendship=plural subject. So, it would be HAVE HELPED. "Your love and friendship have helped us become who we are."
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhich is correct in this sentence (has or have?):
ReplyDeleteShe has seen us through some of the worst days of our lives, and her compassion, dedication and professionalism (have/has) always made them a little better.
Hello Connie, just getting back to you now! The correct verb is have because you are referring to three qualities and not just "professionalism" so it would be the plural form: have.
Delete