|
ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > matter of confusion from a native speaker: word order
matter of confusion from a native speaker: word order
|
brookee
|
matter of confusion from a native speaker: word order
|
|
Hello teachers,
I�m in the middle of writing a paper for a course I�m taking, and I�ve stumbled upon a matter of confusion regarding proper word (or phrase) order. I can not decide which is more appropriately stated of the following:
My and my colleagues� proposal was initially met with a negative response by students.
My colleauges� and my proposal was initially met with a negative response by students.
or is it only appropriate to state:
Our proposal was initially met with a negative response by students.
Opinions? Hope this question isn�t too mind-boggling for the weary teachers after the weekend :) |
15 Dec 2008
|
|
|
|
goodnesses
|
Hi;
Why don�t you make it simply
"My proposal and that of my colleagues initially met a negative response fromthe students."
|
15 Dec 2008
|
|
|
brookee
|
|
That sounds great and very succint.
I still wonder...is there a rule regarding order in this circumstance?
|
15 Dec 2008
|
|
|
Zora
|
You could also use the passive form here.. which to me sounds less forced and more natural...
"The proposal made by my colleagues and I, was intially met with a negative response..." |
15 Dec 2008
|
|
|
eaglestar
|
Hi Brookee,
If you are referring to one proposal that you and your colleagues made, I am more inclined to agree on the second one you made which is:
"Our proposal initially met a negative response from the students."
However, if you want to mention your colleagues, you can include it in your context like this:
"My colleagues and I formulated a proposal. However, it initially met a negative response from the students."
If you are referring to two different proposals, I agree with the reply of "goodnesses".
"My proposal and that of my colleagues� initially met a negative response from the students."
Thanks,
Stella
|
15 Dec 2008
|
|
|
Tere-arg
|
Hi...
I am not sure about this. It does not sound natural to me...
My and my colleagues� proposal was initially met with a negative response by students.
This one would mean they are two different proposals:
My colleauges� and my proposal was(were, then) initially met with a negative response by students.
And in this case it is not clear whose proposal it is (who "our" includes)
Our proposal was initially met with a negative response by students.
As stated before, the passive voice would be more suitable (in my opinion)
|
15 Dec 2008
|
|
|
wildrose
|
|
Hi there!
I think you could also write as follows: "My colleagues and I made a proposal that was initially met with a negative response by the students."
|
15 Dec 2008
|
|
|
|
|
angryparrot
|
|
Mine and my colleagues� proposal was initially met with a negative response by students.
Not 100% certain but shouldn�t this be the possessive? I think it sounds better (which is usually how I work out grammar)
|
15 Dec 2008
|
|
|
dennismychina
|
|
I tend to agree you Matthew,
Either Mine and my colleagues� or My colleagues and my, the English language being as polite as it is, eg. My friends and I. 
Because the full sentence would be My colleagues doodad and my doodad ���hence my colleagues and my. Me thinks mmmmm. |
15 Dec 2008
|
|
|
goodnesses
|
I think it is better formulated your why, unless brookee means two different proposals.
|
15 Dec 2008
|
|
1
2
Next >
|
