Q&A - PSLE English

[atutor2001]

snowman.697:

The emphasis is placed on the one man that's still alive. The other two men are extra information. Furthermore, it looks and sounds strange with 'know'.

This link might help

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-grammar&tid=11

[meimeitan]

Hi All,


May I know what the child should use in Eng Oral if he/she wants to say that he / she is in the scence?

(1) If I am in the scence, I will ........
(2) If I were in the scence, I would .......

Which one is correct? Thanks.

meimeitan :?:

[rains]

meimeitan:

Hi All,


May I know what the child should use in Eng Oral if he/she wants to say that he / she is in the scence?

(1) If I am in the scence, I will ........
(2) If I were in the scence, I would .......

Which one is correct? Thanks.

meimeitan :?:

I should think (2) is better as the child wasn't at the scene at that point in time.

[meimeitan]

Hi!


How do the other professionals think?

Thanks. :lol:

meimeitan

[atutor2001]

meimeitan:

Hi All,


May I know what the child should use in Eng Oral if he/she wants to say that he / she is in the scence?

(1) If I am in the scence, I will ........
(2) If I were in the scence, I would .......

Which one is correct? Thanks.

meimeitan :?:

This link may be of help : http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/if1.cfm

If the child was indeed at the scene, the \"if clause\" should not be used. The sentence will be \"I was at the scene....\"

Below is a summary of my understanding of how \"if clauses\" are to be used :

Type 0 is used for \"fact\", events that will always be true -
\"If you drop the glass, if will shatter into pieces.

Type I is used for events that can happen -
\"If you come, I will buy you lunch.\"
(there is a possibility that you will come)

Type II is used for events that is unlikely to happen -
\"If he asked me, I would help him.\"
(but he won't asked me or he probably won't because we are enemies)

Type III is used for events that can't happen because it has already occurred -
\"If he had asked me, I would have helped him.\"
(the event is already over and the fact is he didn't asked me at that time)

Back to your question. The oral is based on a given picture and we have to assume that the event has already happened. Therefore, it is not possible for the child to be at the scene. In such case, type III should be used :

If I had been at the scene, I would have ......

ps

Type II is also used for events that are \"false\"

\"If I were Lady Gaga, I would .....
(I can never be lady gaga :lol: )

[meimeitan]

Dear atutor 2001


Thks a lot!

meimeitan

[beauty queen]

Mathematics was the only subject Bob failed during the Mid-year examinations.



Bob passed_________________________________________________

sysnthesis



please help

[atutor2001]

beauty queen:

Mathematics was the only subject Bob failed during the Mid-year examinations.



Bob passed_________________________________________________

sysnthesis



please help

This type is the most difficult. Let me try.

Bob passed every subject except for Mathematics during the Mid-year examinations.

I have also attached this link on the use of \"except\" and \"except for\", for your reference. http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic460.html

[starlight1968sg]

beauty queen:

Mathematics was the only subject Bob failed during the Mid-year examinations.


Bob passed_________________________________________________

please help

What about
Bob passed all subjects except Mathematics during the mid-year examinations.

[atutor2001]

starlight1968sg:

beauty queen:

Mathematics was the only subject Bob failed during the Mid-year examinations.


Bob passed_________________________________________________

please help

What about
Bob passed all subjects except Mathematics during the mid-year examinations.

I think it is also correct. The word \"for\" is intended to match the word \"only\" in the original sentence.