Q&A - PSLE English

[atutor2001]

Full.Cream:

think \"If I was...' is also applicable sometimes!

Sorry cannot. \"If I were...\"

PS

Sorry again you are right. \"If I was ....\"means the fact is true or \"not sure\".

Example :

\"If I was there when you called ....\" (I am not sure)
\"If I were there when you called....\" (very sure I wasn't there)

[Tang]

emerald:

Thanks to atutor2001 & Tang for responding, hope you could help me with the following too:


1) In reported speech, are both 'the previous day'(yesterday) and 'the following day' (tomorrow) acceptable in PSLE or should I use the day before and the next day instead. Teacher said former but assessment books latter. Confused!

2) Reported speech: Jane asked Peter if he (was/were) the one who had taken her book without permission.

3) A list of items takes on a singular verb but why a number of suggestions uses a plural one?

Thanks.

1) Both \"the previous day (to replace yesterday)\" and \"the following day (to replace tomorrow)\" are correct.

2) Jane asked Peter if he was the one who had taken her book without permission.

\"was\" is used here as it is something possible

\"were\" will be used when it is something not possible

Eg.

If I were here this morning, I would have helped to solve the problem.
If I were a millionaire, I would give everyone a treat.
If John were with me, he would not have been involved in the fight.

[emerald]

Managed to check with teacher and she said ‘was’ after ‘if I’ is incorrect and is only possible in informal conversation.


Hi Tang and atutor2001, any comments?

[Tang]

emerald:

Managed to check with teacher and she said 'was' after 'if I' is incorrect and is only possible in informal conversation.


Hi Tang and atutor2001, any comments?

I think so.

\"If I\" is always with \"were\"

'If he/she was\" is possible.

[mathsparks]

But there’s nothing wrong with this reported speech either:


My mother asked if I was going to school the next day.

[atutor2001]

emerald:

Managed to check with teacher and she said 'was' after 'if I' is incorrect and is only possible in informal conversation.


Hi Tang and atutor2001, any comments?

I disagree with the teacher. I agree with Tang. \"were\" is for event that is confirmed to be impossible to happen. \"was\" is for event that may be true.

[Full.010894Cream]

Perhaps they try to keep it simple for pr school's English.


Remember we were taught I/We shall and he/she/they/anyone else will? (or something like that?)

[Muffins]

emerald:

Thanks to atutor2001 & Tang for responding, hope you could help me with the following too:


1) In reported speech, are both 'the previous day'(yesterday) and 'the following day' (tomorrow) acceptable in PSLE or should I use the day before and the next day instead. Teacher said former but assessment books latter. Confused!

2) Reported speech: Jane asked Peter if he (was/were) the one who had taken her book without permission.

3) A list of items takes on a singular verb but why a number of suggestions uses a plural one?

Thanks.

Hi emerald, for Q1, I'll have to go with the teachers! The day before/the next day are, some teachers say, slang.

For Q2, It is was, as you only use were for \"wishful thinking\", as in \"If I were a rich man.\"

For Q3, a list of items only refers to ONE list, so it is singular, as we are only talking about one list. A number of suggestions is not pertaining to the number, but rather, the suggestions, which are plural.

Hope I helped!

[Muffins]

atutor2001:

emerald:

Managed to check with teacher and she said 'was' after 'if I' is incorrect and is only possible in informal conversation.


Hi Tang and atutor2001, any comments?

I disagree with the teacher. I agree with Tang. \"were\" is for event that is confirmed to be impossible to happen. \"was\" is for event that may be true.

Hi emerald (again!),
I also agree with Tang and atutor2001, as in my above message, I said that were refers to \"wishful thinking\", but was refers to an event that may happen.

[Vanilla Cake]

Hi All,

Pls help to answer and explain these two questions involving synthesis and transformation:

Q1
I bought a pen. It is expensive.
A1
..............................which...............................

Q2
Clement said, \"I went to the library today.\"
A2
Clement said that .........................................

Many thanks in advance for your time in answering the above questions.