Questions about English language & grammar

[Spring]

I think this thread is for tricky questions.. for those who believe they have a clue about English (but might be clueless about it like me hehe)

But on a serious note.. I see this like a dictionary that doesn't translate to my native language but gives explanations in English
Thank God for it! hehe

[istanbulgal]

guys and gals: it's not as difficult nor confusing as it may sound.

Remember he/she/it = is/was.

Even though an organization/institution, police force, etc., is made up of many individuals, we never say for example:

the hospital are
the police force are
the office are
the cinema are
the school are
the company are
the firm are
the institution are

We say 'is' for all the above. Remember you can replace all of the above for 'it'.

[Spring]

Thanks istanbulgal! Now I am off to cry and search for my old school books to ring some bells in this empty head of mine LOL

[jandros]

.... Police Department (is) ...

Believe it or not, there is a very simple explanation for that phrase

In this case, "Department" is the noun, and "Police" is only an adjective; what kind of department. So the critical word is Department, which is a singular noun.

The Police Department is is investigating the crime.
The Police are investigating the crime.
That police officer/policeman is investigating the crime.

[jandros]

Spring, please don't cry! It'll all be better tomorrow

[jandros]

Hey, Is this thread is open for every body? Can every body put his/her question in EN here? .. If yes, so that's what I used to need long time ago. I'd sleep and wake up and eat here ...But maybe I'll need to talk to our Arab members coz my English is not good.
>>I'd ask u for a help in Arabic chit chat, but I think now I had the right place

Yes! Everybody!!

I think it's great to have a single topic to clarify English, so that various answers are not scattered all over this site. And a single answer can help anyone who speaks any other language.

[MaresLejanos]

Well.. I'm kinda dizzy hehehe...
I do understand the grammer... Now my questions is this:

Present tense: I am used to running every day. In this case, I'm actually doing it every day. right?


Past tense (not true now): I used to run every day. In this case, I did it everyday in the pase, but I'm not doing it it the present. is that right?

[jandros]

Well.. I'm kinda dizzy hehehe...
I do understand the grammer... Now my questions is this:

Present tense: I am used to running every day. In this case, I'm actually doing it every day. right?


Past tense (not true now): I used to run every day. In this case, I did it everyday in the pase, but I'm not doing it it the present. is that right?

Yes, exactly, correct in both instances. You can go to the head of the class!

But to clarify a very small point (maybe not even worth mentioning) about present tense: If you're used to running every day, it just means that it's a normal routine. If you miss a day sometimes, it's still true that you are "used to" it

[MaresLejanos]

Thank you so much !!!!! Can I take you as my teacher ? Of course, I'm nto going to pay, your money values 4 times mine !

[jandros]

Thank you so much !!!!! Can I take you as my teacher ? Of course, I'm nto going to pay, your money values 4 times mine !

What money? We're all losing our jobs up here! J/K my friend, no worries

Hmmm..... can you sing or play guitar???

[MaresLejanos]

I can "sing", but it doesn't mean that I do it well heheheh

[Orwa]

El Raisa, jandros and M-Gal, a huge thanks for you three, and thanks for mares for her questiones cuz i was going to ask the same questions (this sentence right??)

so here's some of what i understood,

1- since long time, i used to drink 5L water every day (but now i do not, right??)

2- i used to feed my cat 3 times per day!

3- i used to cry when i meet (or met??) people for first time(just example)

4- when i am hungry (or when i was hungry?) i used to eat fruits

5- jandros, el raisa and m-gal, are nice peaple, i used to thank them every day

thanks in advance and i am so glad that i reactive this thread again!!!
And thanks for spring!!

[jandros]

Orwiiieee little brother, it's good to see you here

1- "I used to drink" is correct. But your beginning, "since long time" ... I think you mean "A long time ago". The word "ago" is related to "gone": A long time gone, a long time ago. As for the word "since", you have to use it in relation to something specific: Since I was a little boy ... more about that later

4- When I was hungry, past tense, is correct.

5- "I used to thank them every day" ... that means (suggests) the past, you don't do it anymore.

Also regarding the present-tense usage of "used to" (accustomed to):

If you want to state a simple fact, it's better to say it in the simplest way: "I eat fruit every day." Or "I run every day."

If you're responding to something ... like maybe the market doesn't have fruit today ... then you might think or say, "But I'm used to eating fruit every day! I need to find some fruit."

Or if someone says to you, "Why are you running today? It's too hot!!" Then you might say something like, "No problem. I'm used to running every day."

[jandros]

And Spring might say this ...

I like to run every day. It hurts! But I'm used to it.

[istanbulgal]

thanks in advance and i am so glad that i reactive this thread again!!!And thanks for spring!!

reactivated
thanks to spring

You're very welcome Orwie & don't hesitate to ask any questions for it is our pleasure to help someone, who is so motivated to learn.

Jandros: we need to discuss fees & should post it asap.

[MaresLejanos]

Jandros: we need to discuss fees & should post it asap.

I do not agree with fees or mark-up ... How do you call when a lawyer works for free ? spanish: pro-bono?

[istanbulgal]

I do not agree with fees or mark-up ... How do you call when a lawyer works for free ? spanish: pro-bono?

In English we also say pro bono when working without compensation. Derived from Latin, the full phrase is pro bono publico, which means for the good of the public.

Ok., I accept your objection!

[MaresLejanos]

Maybe not fees, but I could send you some "Dulce de leche" instead

Okey my lady! I have to sleep!

kisses a lot!

Ah... I just remember that here, in Argentina and I think in Spain to, we say: ad honórem instead of pro-bono (I took pro-bono from movies now that I think )

[Orwa]

Jandros, Mister, Brother, thank you a little sooooo many very toooooo extremely much, i reallly mean them all!!!

Istanbulgal, Miss, sister, thank you a little sooooo many very toooooo extremely much, i reallly mean them all!!!

so, let me give examples untill i perfect it and, then we start in a new lesson, okay??

1- many years ago, people used to cut the trees, and burn the grass, and that's why the environment get (drity)(or there's a better word than dirty?)

2- i had a very bad habits, i used to shout to kids, lie to people, smile to Jandros and annoy istanbulgal!!

3- yesterdays, people used to use (??) the oil, but now they're trying to find alternative energy

4- Yaaaah, you remind me with school time, i used to study very hard to dont got (Or get??) a bad result in exams

5- I used to writting more than listening

6- you're leaving??? aaaaaa, i used to tell you good morning everyday!!

7- i used to smoking while i am eating!

8- Jandros & Istanbulgal are great people, They used to helping people everytime

if those are okay, then we can jump to the next lesson, and thanks in advance!

[Spring]

And thanks for spring!!

Let's not exclude this option: Thanks for Spring. Cause I love the season

Thanks again jandros and istanbulgal!

As for this...

Spring, please don't cry! It'll all be better tomorrow

Nice thought... but it's not better cause I'm back in the office... but I'm used to it I guess

But.. to get back on topic...

I ran into this line while translating something a while ago:
"the lies that I never have led"
Is it just me or it's purely poetical? Or a mistake? Cause I can't imagine "leading lies"? To lead a lie?

And one more...
Is there an English expression that goes something like "as difficult as _____" or "difficult like ____"
It's supposed to describe a person that is difficult, complicated...
The equivalent expression in Serbian literally goes "heavy like black soil"