Please correct my mistake!

[mylevt]

Dear teacher.
Please help me correct my homework.
My task is that I have to change the first sentence into the second one with the word given.
1. The difference in appearance between nickel and silver is not great.
Nickel and silver don't differ greatly in appearance.
2. Nothwithstanding he works hard, he hasn't succeeded.
He works hard but he hasn't succeeded.
3. Why isn't this TV working?
What's wrong with this TV?
4. It is ages since Alan visited his parents.
Alan hasn't visited his parents for ages.
5. Are they good or bad?
Please tell me whether they are good or bad.
6. The people who were there didn't notice anything unusual.
No one noticed something unusual there.

And here are two sentences I don't know how to do.

1. They always ask questions when you are unable to answer.
They
2. We regret to inform you that your application has not been successful.
Much to

Please help me. Thanks a lot.

[MrPedantic]

Hello Mylevt

1. Correct.
2. OK; but perhaps better:
Although he works hard , he hasn't succeeded.
3. Correct.
4. Correct.
5. Correct.
6. Not correct. Try again, but keep 'anything'.

And here are two sentences I don't know how to do.

1. Try again, using 'never'.
2. Try again, using 'much to our regret'.

MrP

[mylevt]

Dear Sir,
Are they right?
1. They never ask questions when you are able to answer.
2. Much to our regret your application has not been successful.
3. No one noticed anything unusual there.

Thank you for your reply and your help.
Please help again.
Thanks.

[MrPedantic]

Hello Mylevt

Yes, spot on, they look fine to me!

It may be there are alternative answers, though, so maybe another member will have some suggestions too.

Bye for now,
MrP

[mylevt]

Dear Sir,
I am very happy to hear my homework is ok.
The way you help is very good.
Thank you very much.

[MrPedantic]

Thank you very much! I'm very glad to have been able to help.

All the best,
MrP

[mylevt]

Dear Sir.
Please help me again.I have two possible answers but I don't know which is the best. Please help.
He was sorry he hadn't said good-bye to her at the airport.
-- He regretted not saying good-bye to her at the airport.
-- He regretted not having said good-bye to her at the airport.
Thanks.

[MrPedantic]

Hello Mylevt

In your revised sentence, you need to replicate the sequence of events in your original sentence.

Here are your two versions:

1. He regretted not saying good-bye to her at the airport.

— In this one, you have a simple past (regretted) + a present participle (saying).

2. He regretted not having said good-bye to her at the airport.

— In this one, you have a simple past again (regretted) + a past perfect participle (having said).

In your original version, you have a simple past [was sorry] + a past perfect [had said]. So #2 is the best match.

However, many native speakers would use the two versions indiscriminately, because the verb 'regret' naturally implies that the 'thing regretted' precedes the moment of regret!

All the best,
MrP

[Casiopea]

Dear Sir,
I am very happy to hear my homework is ok.

Please remember that we are more than happy to guide you along, mylevt, but that we try not to do homework assignments for you. I understand that Mr P was indeed guiding you towards the best answer, but your assignment is for a grade and so it's highly inappropriate for us here at UsingEnglish to provide you with answers for that assignment. I doubt your instructor would be all that pleased.

Please try not to submit your homework assignments for correction.

All the best,

[mylevt]

Dear teacher.
I understand what you have said to me.
But I think I don't ask people to do my work for me. I always try my best to do but when I finish my work I don't know who corrects for me because I teach englsh myself. I am not a student at school.
The forum is good.
Thanks a lot.