Please advise! English

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Arbash
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Please advise! English

#1 Post by Arbash »

Recently I`ve written some English test and feel like cheated on because some of my answers were considered wrong. So my question to all native speakers - would you consider them wrong as well or (as I do) just another way of saying the same:

It`s time you faced head on the fact that you`ve got responsibilities now. - my answer
It`s time you faced up to the fact that you`ve got responsibilities now. - the "only right" one

I was unable to figure out what the speaker was saying because we were right back of the hall. - my answer
I was unable to make out what the speaker was saying because we were right back of the hall. - the "only right" one

It`s the combination of clear reasoning, sound judgement...
It`s the combination of clear reason, sound judgement... - why writing "reason" here is false?

And the last one with context:

Secondly, there`s too much testing and not enough learning. My 15 yo daughter has just spent the last month or so reading for exams. (the "only right" one) These aren`t even real, important exams....

My 15 yo daughter has just spent the last month or so practising for exams. - my answer

Thanks!! Your help is much appreciated!
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Allen
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Joined: 05 Aug 2013, 16:55

Re: Please advise! English

#2 Post by Allen »

I'm strange coincidence, cause my english is joyful work :lol: So I guess I shouldn't speak up. Writing grammatically correct sentences is for me dark magic :mrgreen:
If I don't answer on your question it means that I don't understand it.
So either my English isn't that good either question doesn't make sense.


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xoxo Allen.
simmerdown
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Re: Please advise! English

#3 Post by simmerdown »

Some of those sentences don't make sense, and I do not understand what the requirements for answering them are. I could only tell on the First one that you in fact got it wrong. When I see the other sentences they both look to be wrong.
Azlan
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Re: Please advise! English

#4 Post by Azlan »

I'm a native English speaker, but I could not properly explain the mechanical aspects. That being said, I will try to explain some of it. I'm from the United States, so those from England, Canada, Australia, etc. might take exception to my English as opposed to their own.

It`s time you faced head on the fact that you`ve got responsibilities now. - my answer
It`s time you faced up to the fact that you`ve got responsibilities now. - the "only right" one

I don't see a problem with either mechanically. However, I would more likely use the second one because your sentence sounds too 'awkward' to someone like me. It's not something I can explain, you should ask the instructor why as both are mechanically and technically correct.



I was unable to figure out what the speaker was saying because we were right back of the hall. - my answer
I was unable to make out what the speaker was saying because we were right back of the hall. - the "only right" one

I don't find anything especially wrong with either of these, as many I know here might use either (see my part about the end of the sentence). It might be because in context, "figuring out" is more like studying something and "make out" is more in tune with discerning meaning from hearing. To me, "...because we were right back of the hall." does not make sense. I would write: "...because we were in back of the hall."



It`s the combination of clear reasoning, sound judgement...
It`s the combination of clear reason, sound judgement... - why writing "reason" here is false?

Neither of these are proper in a written sense. Conversationally or when writing dialogue (like in a novel or for a play) I can see this being written out like this. In this case the second one is mechanically correct because both are being used as nouns or such. Like I stated, I'm not an English teacher or anything like one.



The last example, I don't even understand the sentence.
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Kuroo
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Re: Please advise! English

#5 Post by Kuroo »

As an American, having grammar and English shoved down my throat since I started kindergarten (age of 5 years old), I really think these sentences are rather bizarre!

If this is REALLY a class to teach you the English language and how to use it properly, I would think they would focus on actual sentences that are used rather than strange off-the-wall scenarios like these.

I do believe whoever wrote them (and who is teaching them) really does not have any kind of grasp themselves on the English language or its usage. Not what I have learned!!! I am a writer and a poetessa. I do not always have the best grammar when I am writing, but I do proof-read my writing before I publicly post it. Now, things like this, in a forum, I will probably mess up and misspell words, but I know I am utilizing my English skills that I was taught all my life.

I am very sorry you have someone critiquing you in this manor! I just want to slap the "English-that-they-know" out of them and put them in a 3rd grade English class here in America. :)

If I was there, I would tell them to get an education before they teach... but then, I am a cocky American female who will talk back to anyone who thinks they know it all AND who is TERRIBLY wrong.

(((hugs)))

Robbie (Kuroo)
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WaY
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Re: Please advise! English

#6 Post by WaY »

Arbash wrote: It`s the combination of clear reasoning, sound judgement...
It`s the combination of clear reason, sound judgement... - why writing "reason" here is false?
It's just a rule that after clear you need to add ing suffix :)

The other idioms have a little difference in translation but it's hard to explain if I don't know your native language.
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Acanis
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Re: Please advise! English

#7 Post by Acanis »

Ok, so it seems to me that not many are actually answering the question for you. You want to know why your answer was incorrect or another answer was considered more correct.

It`s time you faced head on the fact that you`ve got responsibilities now. - my answer
It`s time you faced up to the fact that you`ve got responsibilities now. - the "only right" one

My answer to the first set of sentences is that neither is correct. If properly written the sentence should read: "You've got responsibilities now; it's time you faced up to it.

I was unable to figure out what the speaker was saying because we were right back of the hall. - my answer
I was unable to make out what the speaker was saying because we were right back of the hall. - the "only right" one

My answer to this set of sentences is again, neither is correct. The sentence should read: "I was unable to make out what the speaker was saying because we were in the back of the hall." The reason I would say "make out" instead of "figure out" is for the sake of clarity. Using "figure out" could indicate you did not comprehend or understand what the speaker was talking about. "Make out" would indicate you couldn't hear well enough which matches the context of the sentence.

It`s the combination of clear reasoning, sound judgement...
It`s the combination of clear reason, sound judgement... - why writing "reason" here is false?

This last pair you ask why use reasoning instead of reason. It all depends on what message you are trying to deliver. The use of reasoning in this context means the thought process. The use of reason in this way would mean purpose as in the following example- "The reason I turned left was because the traffic signal turned green."

I hope that this helped. If you are more confused I apologize.
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