Q&A - P4 English

[ridcully]

Champion:

(1) Is it discouraged to use \"speech\" for P3 composition writing? Marks will be deducted?


(2) Cannot use phrases like \"smelled like dog poop\", \"like one thousand times\" - these are unacceptable phrases in Composition writing?

On the contrary, dialogue between characters is encouraged as it can be an effective device for explaining to the reader how the plot is developing. Like all devices, it has to be used effectively.

At P3 level, many students make the mistake of including direct speech for its own sake, rather than as plot elaboration. Consequently, a student might write dialogue such as:

Jack said, \"Gee. How's things, Jill?\"
Jill replied, \"Okay. You?\"
Jack said, \"Yeah. Okay.\"
Jill said, \"Nice hill, isn't it?\"
Jack answered, \"All right.\"
Jill asked, \"Got any sweets?\"

Such dialogue would probably score zero for content.

More effective dialogue would be:

Jack said, \"I'm feeling rather thirsty. Fancy hiking up that hill for some water?\"
Jill replied, \"Let's not go there. I've heard that the water well overflows and causes the hill to be slippery.\"

Of course, mechanical skills of punctuation etc are of concern, but the substantive issue is whether direct speech is being used appropriately.

With regard to using phrases, the answer again has to be the substantive one of whether they are being used effectively. This is somewhat subjective but a general rule is that students should avoid being uncouth.

Rgds
R

[teh_oh]

Hi,

Need help on this.

Peter likes to eat apples. Joe does not likes to eat apples.

Peter likes to eat apples but Joe does not.
or
Peter likes to eat apples but not Joe.

Child was taught the first one. I just want to know what is wrong with the second one.

Thanks.

[ridcully]

teh_oh:

Peter likes to eat apples. Joe does not likes to eat apples.


Peter likes to eat apples but Joe does not.
or
Peter likes to eat apples but not Joe.

Child was taught the first one. I just want to know what is wrong with the second one.

The second one could be construed as Peter not liking to eat Joe. What's wrong with Joe anyway? Doesn't he taste nice in a pie?

In the second clause, Joe is a subject, not an object.

Only repeated information can be missed out in the second clause. The verb phrase 'likes to eat apples' is a repetition and can be omitted.

Rgds
R

[teh_oh]

Hi R,

My child and I had a good laugh after reading this (What's wrong with Joe anyway? Doesn't he taste nice in a pie?)
Thanks for the clarification.

[ridcully]

English tastes better with humour...


:celebrate:

[Mum1113]

Hi


Think such question is common, apologies if this has been asked before and yet, I'm asking it here again.

Qn : Mary does not like to eat candies. She likes chocolates better.
Ans : _____________ prefers ______________ .

Is this answer acceptable : Mary prefers to eat chocolates to candies.

MTIA

[starlight1968sg]

Mum1113:

Hi


Think such question is common, apologies if this has been asked before and yet, I'm asking it here again.

Qn : Mary does not like to eat candies. She likes chocolates better.
Ans : _____________ prefers ______________ .

Is this answer acceptable : Mary prefers to eat chocolates to candies.

MTIA

Mary prefers chocolates to candies.
:?

[Mum1113]

starlight1968sg:

Mum1113:

Hi


Think such question is common, apologies if this has been asked before and yet, I'm asking it here again.

Qn : Mary does not like to eat candies. She likes chocolates better.
Ans : _____________ prefers ______________ .

Is this answer acceptable : Mary prefers to eat chocolates to candies.

MTIA

Mary prefers chocolates to candies.
:?

Thanks starlight1968sg. You are correct. Just like to know if the answer I have given is acceptable ?

[ridcully]

Mum1113:

Hi


Is this answer acceptable : Mary prefers to eat chocolates to candies.

No. The structures after prefer are:

A. I prefer something to something else.

B. I prefer doing something to doing something else.

C. I prefer to do something rather than (do) something else.

Your sentence 'Mary prefers to eat chocolates to candies' shows a comparison of an infinitive (preferring to do something) with a noun (something else). This mixes up types A and C.

You can write:
Mary prefers chocolates to candies.

Mary prefers eating chocolates to making them.

Mary prefers to eat chocolates rather than to make them.

Rgds
R

[Mum1113]

Thanks ridcully …