Plumber

[Auldlangsyne]

I am testing myself making up sentences to see how I progress with grammar. (Context is rubbish.) Are they correct? The brackets indicate my doubts.

“Hi, this is plumber John speaking”. “A plumber?” I asked surprised. “Yes, the plumber of Oxford Street, John Jackson, Jr, who did your bathroom last year”. “I remember now,[yes, of course], how could I forget. I’m sorry, Mr. Jackson”, I said, scratching my head, “hello, are you well? How can I help?” “Now then, I can come tomorrow, 3 June [-] Thursday, that is.” Are you sure you haven’t got your appointments mixed up, Mr. Jackson?” “No, Mr. Smith”, he replied, “your wife rang me and asked if I would be available this Thursday, hence the call. I have already bought what she asked for, i.e., white tiles, kitchen sink and new taps. My son, Rob, will give us a lift. Tomorrow, I will turn up with my apprentice George who cannot drive[] and the day after tomorrow, I will bring another apprentice, Henry, with me. You met Rob - my only child[,] last time.”

 

[Tarheel]

There are some problems. For example, the first sentence. (See below.)

“Hi, this is plumber John speaking”.

That's not natural. Also, since the entire sentence is a quote the period should go inside the quote marks. Try:

"Hi, this is John speaking. I'm the plumber."​

 

[Tarheel]

Try:

"A plumber?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, I'm John Jackson, Jr. I remodeled your bathroom last year."
"Oh yes! I remember you now. How can I help you?"
​

 

[Tarheel]

Mr. Jackson: "I'm all ready to start work on your kitchen."

 

[Tarheel]

Mr. Smith: "Are you sure you haven't got your appointments mixed up, Mr. Jackson?"
Mr. Jackson: “No, Mr. Smith. Your wife rang me and asked if I would be available this Thursday, hence the call. I will be ready to start tomorrow. I have already bought what she asked for, i.e.,white tiles, kitchen sink and new taps. My son, Rob, will give us a lift. Tomorrow, I will turn up with my apprentice George, who cannot drive, and the day after tomorrow, I will bring another apprentice, Henry, with me. You met Rob, my only child, last time.”


Hm.

 

[Auldlangsyne]

I will turn up with my apprentice George, who cannot drive, and the day after tomorrow, I will bring another apprentice, Henry, with me. You met Rob, my only child, last time.”


Hm.

And no comma before George? I actually wanted to put it in there. There are more than one apprentices.

Hm.

 

[Tarheel]

OK, throw in a comma before George. (Say: "There is more than one apprentice.")

 

[Auldlangsyne]

(Say: "There is more than one apprentice.")

I meant to change it, but I had already switched the computer off.

(I will count them twice, next time.)