All About English Creative Writing

[jesschan]

The Alternative Story:

Hi parents,


A query was sent to us about the use of 'and', 'but' and 'because'.

The question was is it alright to use these words to start a sentence,
we have been taught not to but you see them often in storybooks and
in some writing in comprehension texts.

It is usually not accepted to do so. However this rule
is used more for formal writing- for eg: an argumentative essay on the
belief that the internet can corrupt young minds. In narratives (fiction),
the rules are not as strict as the main emphasis is on the story.

However, many teachers have grown up knowing that we should not
start a sentence with 'and' 'but' and 'because' and although this rule
is more relaxed for narratives, it is better to advise your child not to
do so as he would probably get marked down for it.

For authors, they can get away with doing so as they can use what is
called a narrative license when an author can distort the use of grammar
to improve his work of art or writing.

However, our kids are not authors yet, so they have to follow the
standard rules

TAS

What if it is just a direct speech in the composition writing?

[The Alternative Story]

jesschan:

What if it is just a direct speech in the composition writing?

Hi Jess,

For direct speech, the rules are more relaxed, you can start the
speech with 'because', 'and' and 'but'.

Eg:

\"Why did you destroy my art work?\" screeched my sister.

\"Because you lost my ipod!\" I hollered, anger making my voice
shake.

With my hands clenched at my sides, I advanced towards her.
Fury, raw and intense, filled my entire being. She was going to get
what she deserved.

TAS

[jesschan]

thanks, TAS.

[The Alternative Story]

Hey Jess,


You are most welcome

TAS

[Herbie]

Hi TAS,


I have some questions on S&T and grammer qns

1. I kept sneezing as the room was dusty.

__________________________ so __________________ that ______________.

Ans: The room was so dusty that I kept sneezing.


2. "What did you do in school yesterday?" Karen asked Mark.

Ans: Karen asked Mark what he had done in school the day before.

3. The sums were difficult. I could not solve them.

Ans: The sums were too difficult, , I could not solve them.




a. Will you jump _____ the chance to climb Mount Everest?

at/on/into/over

b. The family of threes always _____ at Woodland Stadium

Ans : joys

c. I witnessed the robber _____ the security guard at the bank.

Ans: stab

d. The three dollars that you see on the table now ____ to Seta.

Ans: belongs

Btw, can continue on giving the example for S&T and common mistakes?

Many Thanks!

[relaxedmom]

Hi TAS, can I ask you about this sentence that I read from a fiction book:


The teacher had insisted that she have her own space.

Shouldn't it be \"The teacher had insisted that she has her own space\"??

Thanks so much in advance!

[The Alternative Story]

[quote]Hi TAS,


I have some questions on S&T and grammer qns

1. I kept sneezing as the room was dusty.

__________________________ so __________________ that ______________.

Ans: The room was so dusty that I kept sneezing.[/quote]Hi Herbie,

The answer is correct.
[quote]2. \"What did you do in school yesterday?\" Karen asked Mark.

Ans: Karen asked Mark what he had done in school the day before.[/quote]The answer is correct as well. Always take note that the past tense in
reported speech is changed to past perfect tense.
[quote]3. The sums were difficult. I could not solve them.

Ans: The sums were too difficult, , I could not solve them.[/quote]The answer is wrong here. 'too' goes with 'to'.

The answer should be:

The sums were too difficult for me to solve.

[quote]a. Will you jump _____ the chance to climb Mount Everest?

at/on/into/over[/quote]The answer is 'at'.

If you jump on/into/over, it refers to a literal sense of jumping on/
into/over something else.

To jump at the chance would mean to eagerly take up an opportunity.
So here, the 'jump' is idiomatic and not literal.
[quote]b. The family of threes always _____ at Woodland Stadium

Ans : joys[/quote]Do you mean 'jogs'? If so, the answer is singular because you
are referring to one family and not the three people that make up
the family.
[quote]c. I witnessed the robber _____ the security guard at the bank.

Ans: stab[/quote]The answer is correct, an easy way to remember this is Verb-Noun-Verb
rule:

\"Witnessed\" -Verb
\"The robber\" - Noun
\"Stab\"- Verb

The last verb is always in the root form or it can be in the continuous form
(ing). There are some exceptions where the 'ing' form is not used.

Egs:

- I made her crying (wrong)
- I made her cry (correct)
[quote]d. The three dollars that you see on the table now ____ to Seta.

Ans: belongs[/quote]The answer is correct because money is singular unless you are referring
to the number of coins or dollar notes:

Eg:
- There are three 50-cent coins here.
[quote]Btw, can continue on giving the example for S&T and common mistakes?

Many Thanks![/quote]Sure, no problem, will do so soon

TAS

[The Alternative Story]

relaxedmom:

Hi TAS, can I ask you about this sentence that I read from a fiction book:


The teacher had insisted that she have her own space.

Shouldn't it be \"The teacher had insisted that she has her own space\"??

Thanks so much in advance!

Hi relaxedmom,

No problem :lol:

The verb should be 'have'.

In this grammar structure, the subjunctive form is used.

Subjunctive form:

- We use this form when talking about events that we are not certain
will happen. We may wish, want or imagine it to happen.

- It is usually used after these verbs:

ask, command, request, demand, insist, recommend, suggest (+ the
word 'that')

- It can also be used after these expressions:

It is desirable that/essential that/important that/necessary that

The subjunctive form of the verb is always in the root form
of the verb (no 's', no 'ing', in the present tense)

Here are some examples:

1) I insist that he withdraw from the competition
2) I insisted that she take part in the contest
3) It is essential that everyone obey the rules.

Here are some examples of fixed expressions where the subjunctive
form is used:

1) Long live the King!
2) Come hell or high water, I will come and get you.

TAS

[relaxedmom]

Thanks so much for the clarifications, TAS.


So in the same manner, this sentence is correct?

\" She thinks that she should have the cake\". It should be \"have\" and not \"has\"?

Thanks again.

[The Alternative Story]

relaxedmom:

Thanks so much for the clarifications, TAS.


So in the same manner, this sentence is correct?

\" She thinks that she should have the cake\". It should be \"have\" and not \"has\"?

Thanks again.

Hi relaxedmom,

No problem

In this instance, it is not a subjunctive verb. Subjunctive verbs are what
you wish to happen or what you want to happen. Here the emphasis is
more on what she thinks should happen and not what she wishes to happen.

Here the verb is 'have' because it comes after the modal verb
'should'.

The verbs after modal verbs are always in the root form-
not singular, no 'ing', and in the present tense

Eg:

- I must go out
- She said that she could have drowned
- She can swim
- She would drive to school everyday

TAS