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#1
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| [sentence] If we had odd-even driving days, the number of cars on the road would be greatly reduced, and air quality would improve. Actually, this is a subjunctive mood question. However, I feel like 'improve' needs to be changed to 'be improved'. The reasons are 1. in the sentence the word 'reduce' are used as passive voice 'would be greatly reduced' so the other sentence connected by 'and' also needs to be passive voice. 2. I think 'air quality' does not have voluntary volition. However, co-working teacher mentioned intransitive usage of the word 'improve'. But I still think that 'improve' should be 'be improved'. For 'The odd-even driving days improve air quality. ' looks like the active counterpart. Would anyone kindly help me. Am I wrong or right? And if I am wrong on what part am I missing. And on which part of the book or where am I supposed to look for for the reference. Thanks. Last edited by carelessman; 09-Sep-2009 at 05:20. |
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#2
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What time will the {___} open/close? My guess is that overall we prefer the active voice - is it because it's easier? Anywoo, air quality is another fairly common one that we "allow" volition for. There are no rules in English that require us to maintain parallel structures. That is simply a matter of style. In this example I'd choose the active, "air quality would improve". Quote:
Quote:
Last edited by albeit; 09-Sep-2009 at 18:19. |
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#3
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| Thank you. Your kind comment really helped me a lot. As a non-native English teacher, I thought I studied a lot. But I haven't really had a chance to look into the styles of writing. I will check some books on writing styles. Thanks again for your kindness. |
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#4
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This book has a good section on the passive. In fact, the whole book is excellent. The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course, Second Edition Amazon.com: The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course, Second Edition (9780838447253): Marianne Celce-Murcia, Diane Larsen-Freeman: Books |
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