Spelling and Grammar

rupee99

Fly_Baby wrote: »

I didn't ask to 'help' OP with his/her English - I asked to advise ME on what would be the correct way of saying the original post. And at the point when I was asking that, I hadn't done or written anything in this thread which would make you come to any assumtions about me.

Your actions are far from what you claim, re-read your posts, and before you ask I am not going to point them out.

BTW was the mis-spelling of "assumtions" a ploy to convince people you are not a native English speaker?

Fly_Baby

euronorris wrote: »

Out of interest Fly Baby, if you don't mind me asking, what is your native language?

As usual, your understanding of English as a second language, is better than some native English speakers. I find this to be true for a lot of non native English speakers.

That's alarming isn't it. And yet, I am now used to it.

I'd rather not if that's OK.

As a child, I attended a very good school with extra English tuition and English curriculum in my motherland was very, very heavy on grammar and spelling - still is, I suppose. Grammar was probably easier to teach (but harder to learn! ) than spoken English. So many of us graduated with a thorough knowledge on Past Conditional and Gerund but struggled to have a conversation with a waiter.

euronorris

Easy Rupee.

I can see this escalating quickly and it is not necessary.

Let's try and stick to the subject matter please? I know we can have strong opinions, but I don't think it helps anyone to become so personal with each other.

euronorris

Fly_Baby wrote: »

I'd rather not if that's OK.

As a child, I attended a very good school with extra English tuition and English curriculum in my motherland was very, very heavy on grammar and spelling - still is, I suppose. Grammar was probably easier to teach (but harder to learn! ) than spoken English. So many of us graduated with a thorough knowledge on Past Conditional and Gerund but struggled to have a conversation with a waiter.

Fair enough.

I feel a bit like that with Dutch at the moment. I have a fair understanding of it, and know some of the grammar, construction etc but still couldn't have a conversation with a waiter. Well, I could, but it would be a bit one sided! lol.

I need to improve my Dutch vocabulary and confidence with speaking a great deal. More lessons soon though

Fly_Baby

rupee99 wrote: »

Your actions are far from what you claim, re-read your posts, and before you ask I am not going to point them out.

BTW was the mis-spelling of "assumtions" a ploy to convince people you are not a native English speaker?

You must be referring to my later posts - my first one was an innocent request and would never have lead to anything else if somebody had kindly responded to that request.

"Assumtions" was just a genuine mis-spelling. Why, you don't believe that I am not a native speaker? I should be flattered then!

Quasar

Fly_Baby wrote: »

I'd rather not if that's OK.

As a child, I attended a very good school with extra English tuition and English curriculum in my motherland was very, very heavy on grammar and spelling - still is, I suppose. Grammar was probably easier to teach (but harder to learn! ) than spoken English. So many of us graduated with a thorough knowledge on Past Conditional and Gerund but struggled to have a conversation with a waiter.

I agree entirely. In my country I learnt the fine details of English grammar and knew all about regular and irregular verbs, the saxon genitive etc etc etc, but all that head knowledge was useless when I came to the UK to "improve" my English. This head knowledge stood me in good stead of course, but it didn'd beat actual day-to-day conversational experience.

Also, I think that reading lots of well written material is invaluable, particularly for building up vocabulary and retaining good grammatical habits.

Again I wish to stress that I have no problem with those who take a more cavalier view towards their language. We are all entitled to make our choices, and as long as I can understand a person, that's all and good. When I can't I just politely switch off without further ado.

Fly_Baby

euronorris wrote: »

Fair enough.

I feel a bit like that with Dutch at the moment. I have a fair understanding of it, and know some of the grammar, construction etc but still couldn't have a conversation with a waiter. Well, I could, but it would be a bit one sided! lol.

I need to improve my Dutch vocabulary and confidence with speaking a great deal. More lessons soon though

A bit off-topic but: you might want to try to get hold of Dutch press. Not quality newspapers like their version of "Times", "FT" or "Economist" etc, but something basic like "Cosmopolitan" or some weekly tabloid with human-interest stories. These have the kind of vocabulary you need for the conversational language. It builds up really quickly. I tried and tested it with English.

euronorris

Fly_Baby wrote: »

A bit off-topic but: you might want to try to get hold of Dutch press. Not quality newspapers like their version of "Times", "FT" or "Economist" etc, but something basic like "Cosmopolitan" or some weekly tabloid with human-interest stories. These have the kind of vocabulary you need for the conversational language. It builds up really quickly. I tried and tested it with English.

Thanks, I already do this and it definitely helps.

They do a couple of free newspapers each morning, which I am becoming steadily better at understanding.

TV would be another good one, but they show so many English and American programmes so I tend to be a bit lazy and watch them. I really should watch some Dutch programmes though.

euronorris

Oh, and on the grammar point.....I have already learnt several 'rules' that my Dutch colleagues don't ever recall having learnt. I think certain rules may not be taught, or at least not focused on, because you learn them at a very young age and are usually already very practised in applying them.

DCFC79

7 pages about spelling and grammar