jetsetter:

TheWriter:

As a result of receiving a salary increment, Terence worked very hard.

:scratchhead: :?

Oh dear. Much apologies! I was thinking about the salary increment as a motivation for Terence to work hard, rather than as a result of his hard work.

TheWriter

As a result of receiving a salary increment, Terence worked very hard.

SOS mum:

The class was very noisy as the teacher was unable to manage the boisterous boys.


Due to __________
the teacher's unability to manage the boisterous boys, the class was very noisy OR

Due to the fact that the teacher was unable to manage the boisterous boys, the class was very noisy.

TIA

Both are ok, but it should be \"inability\" in the first answer.

TheWriter

slmkhoo:

TheWriter:

The sight of the huge spider on Cindy's bag terrified her.


TheWriter

Is using the name first and pronoun later is preferred? I was wondering which to use.

Purists might prefer it, but I wouldn't make a big fuss over it.

Oh and just to add, it has to do with 'antecedents'; means the pronoun usually refers to something earlier in the text (the antecedent). In this case, \"her\" would refer to Cindy.

TheWriter.

The sight of the huge spider on Cindy’s bag terrified her.


TheWriter

That’s how I would have explained it as well, but kids will still trip up on the logical aspects of the sentence from time to time.


TheWriter

TheWriter:

\"In\" for mathematics, \"at\" for singing.

I think of it as \"good in a subject/good at a skill\"

Edit: I just noted that Mathematics could refer to the class, or very generally as a skill. A quick check verifies that as a subject/class/course, 'in\" is the preferred preposition, but there are sites that advocates \"at\" for both contexts. The internet can be a confusing place, so I am going to hold this for a while, and see if I can dig anything up from my library at work. Tentatively, based on the context of the sentence, I would revise and go with at, i.e. It is a known fact that...tend to be good at Mathematics (good at solving mathematical problems).

Sometimes I wonder why we give such grammar questions.

TheWriter

I've just conferred with the good folks I work with, and the general consensus is to go with 'at', since there is nothing in the sentence to suggest mathematical coursework.

TheWriter

Teacher Aaron:

jwxh:

Please help me.


It is known fact that logical thinkers tend to be good ______Mathematics.
1. In
2.on
3. At
4. With

What about good at singing or good in singing?

Thank you in advance

I'll clear the confusion once and for all.

When confusion over the use \"in\" or \"at\" arises, a key distinguishing feature is that the preposition \"in\" is generally for the non-specific, while the use of the preposition \"at\" is for the specific. Some examples will clear up the confusion.

I study at Raffles Institution which is located in Bishan.

In the above example, Raffles Institution is a very specific example, so we should use the preposition \"at\". We use the preposition \"in\" for the location of Raffles Institution as Bishan is a big area and the sentence does not provide the specific location. If we have information of the specific location, we will need to change the preposition, as shown below:

I study at Raffles Institution which is located at the junction of Bishan Street 21 and Bishan Road.

The same logic can be applied to time:

I am meeting a client at two o'clock. (specific time)

I will be going overseas in a week's time. (non-specific time)

Applying this logic to the above question, it would be better to use the preposition \"in\" for Mathematics because it is a broad field with many specific and distinct sub-disciplines. Reference to a specific sub-discipline under the broad umbrella of mathematics should take the preposition \"at\". The following sentence should help to clear up lingering doubts:

I am very interested in Mathematics, but I'm simply no good at algebra.

With regards to singing, again, applying the logic outlined above, since it is a very specific skill, the preposition \"at\" is more appropriate. Here's another example to illustrate the difference between \"in\" and \"at\":

In the modern music industry, there are few who are truly good at singing.

1. Yes, you are very clever and competent in English, if that is what your long post wants people to conclude.

2. No, my competency in the language is not suspect because I made an error. I have made mistakes before and I remember the last time people pointed it out in a civil way, I responded in kind.

3. No, I am not required to explain anything simply because you demanded one.

TheWriter

S-H:

Can someone pls help the following, thank you!


The sales assistant is trying to _______ the angry cstomer and not antagonise him further.
(1) allay
(2) pacify
(3) douse
(4) defuse

I thought the answer is (2) but the answer is (1) ??? Can someone advise, thanks!

I agree with you on the answer (2). I have seen sentences like \"allay the customer's anger\" where the word \"allay\" is meant for the emotion, but I have not seen a sentence where you can \"allay\" a person, albeit an angry one.

TheWriter

pm123:

Need help...


1, Mary as well as her sisters is/are going to zoo tomorrow.
2, Mary, as well as her sisters, is/are going to zoo tomorrow.

Under what circumstances do we omit comma before/after the phase \"as well as\" ?

Pls adv? TIA.

2. Mary, as well as her sisters, is going to the zoo tomorrow.

The additional expression of \"as well as\" to include the sisters interrupts the subject of the sentence (\"Mary\") and should have commas between them.

If the expression does not interrupt (usually this means it comes closer to the end), then there will not be a need for commas, e.g.

Mary and her sisters are going to the zoo as well as Universal Studios Singapore tomorrow.