verb: progress

[bmo]

1. I hope my English can progress.
2. I hope I can improve my English.
3. I hope my English can be improved.
4. I hope my English can improve.

Which one/ones are wrong and which is the best sentence? Is #1 a complete sentence?

Thanks.

BMO

 

[MikeNewYork]

1. I hope my English can progress.
2. I hope I can improve my English.
3. I hope my English can be improved.
4. I hope my English can improve.

Which one/ones are wrong and which is the best sentence? Is #1 a complete sentence?

Thanks.

BMO

They are all grammatical, but the first is my least favorite. It uses "progress" as a verb. You can progress (verb) and you can make progress (noun) but English doesn't really do either.

I like 2 and 3 the best.

 

[RonBee]

I agree with Mike. In 1 & 4 English seems to be doing the acting.

 

[bmo]

Thank Mike and Ron. I am helping others by editing their writing, but it looks like I am helping myself. #2 & #3 would have been my choices, but seeing #1 used by a "student," I became uncertain. (English can't move by itself, it is the learner who moves forward.)

Here we go again, is "their writing" correct? And should learner and moves take on plural forms?

Thanks.

BMO

 

[RonBee]

Here we go again, is "their writing" correct? And should learner and moves take on plural forms?

Well, I would assume that learners can improve their writing, or they wouldn't be learners. :wink:

If you can provide some context (put that in a sentence) I can probably comment further.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Thank Mike and Ron. I am helping others by editing their writing, but it looks like I am helping myself. #2 & #3 would have been my choices, but seeing #1 used by a "student," I became uncertain. (English can't move by itself, it is the learner who moves forward.)

Here we go again, is "their writing" correct? And should learner and moves take on plural forms?

Thanks.

BMO

I would say that their "writing" is correct. The singular form indicates "writing" in general. Were you to pluralize it, it would change to specific applications of "writing".

When you say "the learner" in this context, you are referring to "learner" in general. Article use can be very confusing.

 

[bmo]

Thanks.

BMO

 

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks.

BMO

You're welcome, as always. :wink: