All About English Creative Writing

[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

[The Alternative Story]

S&T example 4


Not only

Points to take note:

1) When 'not only' is in the beginning of the sentence, it is
a) followed by a verb,
b) a comma must be inserted
c) the linking words 'also' is also added.

Eg (a)

- She is beautiful and kind.

Not only is she beautiful, she is also kind.

Eg (b) children often make mistakes for examples 1(b) - 1(d)

- She sweeps and mops the place.

Not only does she sweep (root form because of 'does')
the place, she also mops it.

Eg (c)

- They sweep and mop the place.

Not only do they sweep (root form because of 'do) the
place, they also mop it.

Eg (d)

- She swept and mopped the place.

Not only did she sweep (root form because of 'did') the place, she also mopped it.

2) When 'not only' is not in the beginning of the sentence,
a) there is no comma inserted
b) the linking words 'but also' is inserted

Eg (a)

- She is beautiful and kind.

She is not only beautiful but also kind.

Eg (b)

- She sweeps/swept and mops/mopped the place

She not only sweeps/swept the place but also mops/mopped it.

Eg (c)

- They sweep and mop the place.

They not only sweep the place but also mop it.

TAS

[singapore45]

Hi TAS,


I’ve got 2 questions & hope you can help

1) Any tips to help differentiate some commonly misspelled words like

Lose vs Loose

Save vs Safe

Quote vs Code

2) Is the word speed a noun or a verb?

Seems like it can be used both as a noun and a verb so i am a bit confused.

Thank you in advanced TAS!

[Herbie]

HI TAS,


For comprehension qn.

Shld the answer be phrased as (1) or (2)
(1) The word is "inadequate".

or (2) The word is "adequate."

Kindly advise.

[The Alternative Story]

[quote]Hi TAS,


I've got 2 questions & hope you can help

1) Any tips to help differentiate some commonly misspelled words like

Lose vs Loose

Save vs Safe

Quote vs Code[/quote]Hi Singapore45,

Vocabulary is one area that many children do not do well as there
are simply too many vocabulary words out there for them to
remember. The best solution is to read but at the same time
there are many children who either do not read enough or
cannot really translate their reading to actual learning.

Hence, making use of mnemonic strategies helps.

One mnemonic strategy that can be used is to Create Associations
of the word. So when you see the word, you see a letter that stands
out for the meaning or you have a story behind it that helps you to remember.

We will give mnemonic strategies behind each word to make it easy to
remember. Of course, there is no fixed way, you can also make up
your own association or story:)

Meaning of Lose: It is used as a verb. It means to part
with unintentionally- I lose my things very often

Meaning of Loose: It is used as an adjective.
It means not tight or not restraining - My pants are loose

How to remember the difference? (Mnemonics)
- LOOse, there are 2 Os, the word 'loose' is so loose you
can fit in 2 Os instead just 1 O.

- LOse, you are so careless, you manage to LOse the other 'O'
in the word. So 'Lose' has one O because you 'lose' the other 'O'

Meaning of save: It is used as a verb - I saved you from the fire.

Meaning of safe: It is used as an adjective - I am safe at last.

How to remember the difference? (Mnemonics)
- saVe: the V stands for Verb
- saFe: the F stands for 'foolish' - 'foolish' is an adjective
just like 'safe' is.

Meaning of quote: to repeat the words of someone or a text -
I quoted from Shakespeare to impress her.

Meaning of code: a set of principles or laws to follow/a
system of using symbols to pass information -
What is the code of conduct in such a situation? /Do you know
the secret code?

How to remember the difference? (mnemonics)
- QuoTe: the T can stand for someone Talking..so to quote is to
repeat what the person says

- Code: C.O.D.E stands for Careful, Obedient, Detailed, Excellent.
If you live by this code of behaviour, you will do well in school.
[quote]2) Is the word speed a noun or a verb?

Seems like it can be used both as a noun and a verb so i am a bit confused.[/quote]It can be used as both a noun and verb.

Speed (verb): Can you please speed up?

Speed (noun): The car's speed is slowly inching up/The
speed at which he ate was astounding.
[quote]Thank you in advanced TAS![/quote]No problem!

TAS

[The Alternative Story]

Herbie:

HI TAS,


For comprehension qn.

Shld the answer be phrased as (1) or (2)
(1) The word is \"inadequate\".

or (2) The word is \"adequate.\"

Kindly advise.

Hi Herbie,

The full stop should be outside the bracket (in this instance \"..\")
when asked for 'The word'/'The phrase'.

So the answer should be The word is \"inadequate\".

The full stop is inside the bracket when you are asked to quote
a sentence because you are quoting the entire sentence
including the full stop which comes with the sentence.

Eg: The sentence is \"I quit today.\".

The full stop outside the bracket is actually used to show that you have
finished your own sentence, the full stop inside the bracket is used to
show you have quoted the whole sentence. However, it is also not
wrong to just write the sentence without the full stop outside the bracket.-
The sentence is \"I quite today.\"

TAS

[singapore45]

Hi TAS,


Thank you for your quick response! Very impressed by the quality of your reply.

One more question

What is the difference between Don’t and Doesn’t ?

Is there any specific circumstances where we use Don’t and Doesn’t?

Thank you so much TAS!

[The Alternative Story]

Hi Singapore45,


You are most welcome!

The difference between 'don't' and 'doesn't' is

- don't is the contraction for do not. It is used for subjects
like 'I', 'You' and 'plural' subject nouns like 'We', 'they',
'The girls' etc.

Eg:

They don't like swimming.

- doesn't is the contraction for does not. It is used for subjects
that are 'singular'- 'she', 'he', 'the girl' etc.

Eg:

The girl doesn't like swimming.

TAS