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#47 (permalink) Wed May 26, 2010 10:20 am 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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| Mordant wrote: |
| Tort, African Americans do not say "If that be..." Also, I am curious as to where you heard "He bes a man." |
Try "Ice Cube - Supreme Hustle"
Only he says "you be the one..."
(I think I also heard "he bees", only can't put my finger on what rap song) I'm not saying that all African Americans speak like that, but some do. Such talk is a part and parsel of the rap game. All rappers go to great lengths to sound as uneducated as possible because it sounds cool and it makes them look like tough gangstas. _________________ If it's not easy, don't do it!
That's how I got where I am. |
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Our Tort System I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 2841 Location: The big apple
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#48 (permalink) Wed May 26, 2010 11:08 am 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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I'm deeply familiar with African-American vernacular. You cannot always rely on rap songs to gauge that. "He bes ..." is not legitimate dialect. In music, you'll hear exaggerations, and that is one. I can think of a rap song with "We bes" in it, but I have yet to hear anyone actually say it.
The misuse of "be" is nearly always with the present progressive. He be calling me every night. *He be (or bes) a man.
If anything, you'll hear this: He a man.
OK, ESL learners, ignore this post. You never saw it. And it's all INCORRECT. |
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Mordant Language Coach
Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 1964 Location: United States
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#49 (permalink) Thu May 27, 2010 6:41 am 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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what about in questions or negative , can't i use (hope) in the subjunctive also ??
thanks in advance _________________ "There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error....."
The qur'an 1:256 |
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Ahmeeeeeeeeeed I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 292
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#50 (permalink) Thu May 27, 2010 6:46 am 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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Oh, for heaven's sake! NO SUBJUNCTIVE BECAUSE OF THE VERB 'HOPE'. Won't someone put this thread out of its misery? _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13014
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#51 (permalink) Thu May 27, 2010 7:29 am 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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| You made me chuckle, Mister Micawber. |
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Mordant Language Coach
Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 1964 Location: United States
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#52 (permalink) Thu May 27, 2010 7:45 am 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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hhh..
ok i am sorry , i was just trying to compare it to the verb (esperer) en francais that can't be put in the subjunctive unless it is a question or negative (the verb means (hope)also) _________________ "There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error....."
The qur'an 1:256 |
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Ahmeeeeeeeeeed I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 292
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#53 (permalink) Thu May 27, 2010 7:57 am 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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| I wouldn't bother to compare the current English use of the subjunctive to the subjunctive in any other language. It's decaying and is used inconsistently. Pure logic and comparisons alone will not lead you to a better understanding of how it is used today in English. |
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Mordant Language Coach
Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 1964 Location: United States
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#54 (permalink) Wed Nov 02, 2011 14:17 pm Subjunctive |
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| Thanks |
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Ilciavo New Member
Joined: 02 Nov 2011 Posts: 5
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#55 (permalink) Wed Nov 02, 2011 14:21 pm 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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Thanks for your posts. In deed, I was utterly confused with the usage of subjunctive. Could I say the following? I hope this might help I hope this could help Hopefully, this might help
Additionally, I have another query. Which one of the following statements is correct? I don't believe that she has been hiding anything I don't believe that she have been hiding anything I don't believe that she had been hiding anything |
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Ilciavo New Member
Joined: 02 Nov 2011 Posts: 5
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#56 (permalink) Wed Nov 02, 2011 14:37 pm 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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You can say these:
I hope this will help. Hopefully, this might/could help.
I don't believe that she has been hiding anything. I don't believe that she had been hiding anything when she returned from the garden. -- This can be used only in a context which includes another past but more recent action (e.g., 'return') _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13014
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#57 (permalink) Fri Nov 04, 2011 7:15 am 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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Thanks Mister Micawber, In deed, I want to learn the correct usage of subjunctive. Today, eager for knowledge, I consulted the book "Longman Advanced Learner's Grammar", and came with more queries. The book claims the following: "Subjunctive is used in formal English to express the idea that something is necessary or important. The Subjunctive is used in reported speech, very formal language, and in poetry. The use of it is rather formal or literary in British English, and it is less formal in US English. British speakers prefer to use should + infinitive."
According to your experience, could you please rank in order of formality the following sentences. It is vital that every applicant complete the form in triplicate. It is vital that every applicant should complete the form in triplicate. It is vital that every applicant completes the form in triplicate. It is vital for every applicant to complete the form in triplicate. Additionally, the book claims that sense verbs can be followed by an object + infinitive (without to) when we are describing a single action or the action is complete. We saw a young mother slap her child in the supermarket. (She slapped once) Last week I heard them play the fifth symphony. (I heard the complete symphony) Shall we consider this as subjunctive or a special usage of sense verbs? I appreciate your time and help. Kind regards, |
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Ilciavo New Member
Joined: 02 Nov 2011 Posts: 5
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#58 (permalink) Fri Nov 04, 2011 7:35 am 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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It is vital that every applicant complete the form in triplicate. It is vital that every applicant should complete the form in triplicate. It is vital for every applicant to complete the form in triplicate. It is vital that every applicant completes the form in triplicate.-- This one is no good (or very casual). The other three are equally standard.
We saw a young mother slap her child in the supermarket. (She slapped once) Last week I heard them play the fifth symphony. (I heard the complete symphony) Shall we consider this as subjunctive or a special usage of sense verbs?-- It is not subjunctive; it is merely a characteristic of verbs of sensation. _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13014
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#59 (permalink) Fri Nov 04, 2011 8:49 am 'Hope this help' or 'Hope this helps'? |
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I think I finally grasped it :) Thanks in triplicate |
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Ilciavo New Member
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| This is pretty strange. | ensurance or assurance |