Correcting English Sentences

[english grammar man]

Yet, another lesson to present to your students.

Removing unecessary words or slightly editing existing sentences is a great way to buid one's grammar skills.

Correct the below sentences by removing unecessary words or editing where required.

1. We established a joint venture there called Teachers Circle Co. Ltd.
2. Next, I'll explain about the new curriculum we've developed.
3. I talked with her about my trip to Tasmania island.
4. My wife challenged to learn English.

[teacherjoe]

Your statement is accurate, but I think your presentation could be better.

Rather than giving isolated sentences that have no relation to each other, or any relation to your students' actual needs, it would be better to have sentences in context. It would be much more effective to have your students write a few sentences, then do corrections. In that way, you have two advantages (students are correcting sentences that have meaning to them, and the context will help them remember) instead of having two disadvantages. Just a suggestion...

[english grammar man]

Excellent point teacherjoe. If presenting new grammar structures, then similar sentences would be best in the above exercise.

Then after a few weeks, as a review, provide the student with a variety of sentence patterns.

[teia]

Originally Posted by english grammar man

Yet, another lesson to present to your students.

Removing unecessary words or slightly editing existing sentences is a great way to buid one's grammar skills.

Correct the below sentences by removing unecessary words or editing where required.

1. We established a joint venture there called Teachers Circle Co. Ltd.
2. Next, I'll explain about the new curriculum we've developed.
3. I talked with her about my trip to Tasmania island.
4. My wife challenged to learn English.

Hi English grammar man!

• We established a joint venture called Teachers Circle Co. Ltd.
  I think that "there" is not necessary in this sentence; moreover, I don`t know if "venture" is the right word in this sentence.
• In addition to that, I'll explain the new curriculum we've developed.
• I told her about my trip to Tasmania Island./ I talked to her about my trip to Tasmania Island.
• My wife chose to learn English.

Regards,

Teia

[english grammar man]

The correct answers would be:

1. We established a joint venture called Teachers Circle Co. Ltd.
   - The word "there" is not required. Nothing wrong with the word "venture".
2. Next, I'll explain the new curriculum we've developed.
   - The word "about" is not required.
3. I talked with her about my trip to Tasmania.
   - "Island" is not required. Fiji is also a small island, and we DO NOT say "During my holidays I travelled to Fiji island".
4. My wife tried to learn English.
   - Teia: Your sentence is correct, however a slightly different meaning.

[teia]

Originally Posted by english grammar man

The correct answers would be:

1. We established a joint venture called Teachers Circle Co. Ltd.
   - The word "there" is not required. Nothing wrong with the word "venture".
2. Next, I'll explain the new curriculum we've developed.
   - The word "about" is not required.
3. I talked with her about my trip to Tasmania.
   - "Island" is not required. Fiji is also a small island, and we DO NOT say "During my holidays I travelled to Fiji island".
4. My wife tried to learn English.
   - Teia: Your sentence is correct, however a slightly different meaning.

Hi English grammar man

Thank you for clarifying that. I should have noticed the problem with "island" ; I've made a stupid mistake.
I'd like to ask you a question if possible : shall I say :"talk with smb" or "talk to smb."? Are they both correct? In what context?

Thank you very much in advance.

Regards,
Teia

[english grammar man]

Originally Posted by teia

I'd like to ask you a question if possible : shall I say :"talk with smb" or "talk to smb."? Are they both correct? In what context?

Both are gramatically correct. "Talk to" tends to have a slightly stronger nuance. Look at the following sentences:

Example 1

Little John has been a bad boy. He will need a talking to on the proper way to treat adults. I will talk to him this evening when I get home.

Mothers will often talk to their children as will teachers to their students. It shows some sort of status hierarchy.

Example 2

I'm going to talk with Sarah tonight regarding the weekend activities.

Whilst the above sentence uses "talk with", it's still very natural to use "talk to". So really, "talk to" and "talk with" are very very similar in meaning. If you want to reprimand someone, then "talk to" would be best.

Hope I haven't confused you. Language nuances are one of the hardest things to learn with a 2nd language.

[teia]

Hi English grammar man

I have perfectly understood the language nuances you are talking about. I wouldn't have missed the opportunity to ask you again if I hadn't understood your reply. I'd like to add that your explanations are so clear that no one can ever be confused if s/he pays the necessary attention to the problem.

Thank you very much.

Regards,

Teia

[english grammar man]

Glad to be of help Teia