Forum newsfeeds |  | | Notices | You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language. If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly at the top of your post. Please note, all posts are moderated by our in-house language experts, so make sure your suggestions, help, and advice house the kind of information an international language teacher would offer. If not, and your posts do not contribute to the topic in a positive way, they will be subject to deletion. | 
31-Oct-2004, 14:48
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Country: Taiwan
Posts: 1,816
Current Location: Taipei First Language: Mandarin Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
| | A simple question for native speakers Hello, non-natives' opinions are welcomed as well, please don't hesitate to share with me.
I read a comment in a thick crazy book called "A grammar of contemporary English". PHP Code: Some speakers feel that "Either you or I are going" is more natural than "Eithet you or I am going."
I'd like to know your opinion! | 
02-Nov-2004, 16:02
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Country: Taiwan
Posts: 1,816
Current Location: Taipei First Language: Mandarin Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
| | Re: A simple question for native speakers Moshi moshi
Am I still on a busy line?  | 
03-Nov-2004, 00:34
|  | VIP Member | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Country: Canada
Posts: 12,997
Current Location: China First Language: English Thanks: 0
Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts
| | Re: A simple question for native speakers Quote: |
Originally Posted by blacknomi "Either you or I are going" is more natural than "Either you or I am going." | They both sound strange to me. I prefer:
Either you are going or I am going.
Either you or I will go. | 
03-Nov-2004, 13:58
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Country: Taiwan
Posts: 1,816
Current Location: Taipei First Language: Mandarin Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
| | Re: A simple question for native speakers Quote: |
Originally Posted by Casiopea They both sound strange to me. I prefer:
Either you are going or I am going.
Either you or I will go. | Really? Hm with "will", there's no problem left.
What about
"Either you or I am right" or "Either you or I are right", which one do you prefer? Could it be possible that some native speakers would like to use the second one?
Best Regards,
Blacknomi  | 
03-Nov-2004, 14:46
|  | VIP Member | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Country: Canada
Posts: 12,997
Current Location: China First Language: English Thanks: 0
Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts
| | Re: A simple question for native speakers Quote: |
Originally Posted by blacknomi Really? Hm with "will", there's no problem left. | That's right. Uhm, is there suppose to be a problem? Eee. Quote: |
Originally Posted by blacknomi "Either you or I am right" or "Either you or I are right", which one do you prefer? Could it be possible that some native speakers would like to use the second one? | If I had to choose one, I'd pick "Either...I am....". The reason being, 'I' and 'am' are within close proximity, whereas 'You' and 'are' are not. But again, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't say either of them. | 
03-Nov-2004, 16:56
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Country: Taiwan
Posts: 1,816
Current Location: Taipei First Language: Mandarin Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
| | Re: A simple question for native speakers Quote: |
Originally Posted by Casiopea But again, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't say either of them. | Thank you, Ms. Beauty in Japan.
I'm a bit surprised at the tone you had, "But again....", while we have plenty of those tests oand excercises that ask learners to choose either am or are. If so, under normal circumstances, you wouldn't say either. Then I would like to know what you as any native speaker would say. Quote: |
Either you are right or I am right.
| Which one do you say often, "Either you or I will go." or "Either you are going or I am going."
I look forward to your answer, as always.
All the best,
Blacknomi  | 
03-Nov-2004, 17:47
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 727
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
| | Re: A simple question for native speakers Which one do you say often, "Either you or I will go." or "Either you are going or I am going."
Without thinking I would use "either you or I will go". "Either you are going or I am going" has the sound of command or ultimatum to it. | 
04-Nov-2004, 16:51
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Country: Taiwan
Posts: 1,816
Current Location: Taipei First Language: Mandarin Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
| | Re: A simple question for native speakers Quote: |
Originally Posted by twostep Without thinking I would use "either you or I will go". "Either you are going or I am going" has the sound of command or ultimatum to it. | Twostep,
If you say, "Either you or I will go" then will you utter, "Either you or I am right!" | 
04-Nov-2004, 16:52
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Country: Taiwan
Posts: 1,816
Current Location: Taipei First Language: Mandarin Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
| | Re: A simple question for native speakers Cass, #6 ? | 
04-Nov-2004, 17:37
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 727
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
| | Re: A simple question for native speakers #6????? translate for non natve  | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes | Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | All times are GMT. The time now is 13:03. |  |