Thread: grammar
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Old 12-Dec-2003, 15:52
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Default Re: grammar

Quote:
Originally Posted by jiang
1. __ man has learned much form the behavior of animals is hardly new.
a. That b. What

The key is 'a'. But I think 'b' is also correct. 'a' means the fact that man has learned from the animals is hardly new. Or it is not something new that man has learned from animals. The word much is a noun. 'b' means the thing that has learned much from animals is hardly new. Or the content that man has learned from animals is hardly new. Am I right?
Note the difference between that man and what man. If I say that man is my father I am making a statement. If I say what man is my father I am asking a question.

With that man has learned much from the behavior of animals you have either a statement or a subject clause. With what man has learned much from the behavior of animals you have a question, and you cannot make it into the subject of a sentence.

Does that help?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jiang
2. During an earthquake, the great part of damage and loss of life has been_______collapse of buildings and the effect of rockslides, rather than from the quakes themselves.
a. due to b. owing to
My question is What's the difference between due to and owing to? Can I choose b?

I think you can use owing to, but you would have to rearrange the rest of the words in the sentence. (That wouldn't be a bad idea.)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jiang
3. You ______ the class to tell me that. You could have come up to me afterwards.
a. needn't have interrupted b. shouldn't have interrupted
The key is 'a'. But I think 'b' is also correct. 'a' means it was uncessary for you to interrupt me. 'b' means you are wrong in interrupting me. Am I right?
I agree. You could use either answer there. I suppose it could be argued that the second sentence is less likely with b, but either answer fits that sentence.



Quote:
Originally Posted by jiang
4. Rather than ______trouble, he left.
a. cause b. to cause c. causing d. caused
The answer is 'a'. I know rather than should be followed by parallel parts. Then can I choose d?
No, you can't. Only one of the choices fits that sentence.

:)
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