English Grammar (37)
mercy: The following text was part of an exam.
Sam lived in the mountains. His family was very poor. Every morning, Sam _____(1)_____ up early to go to school.
The choice of answers for this question were:
A get
B got
C gets
D getting
The answer given by the teacher who set the paper and as according to the reference book she used, the answer is got. However others said that the answer is gets. Which answer is correct? If gets is the answer, some of them question why should the answer be in the simple present tense when the whole passage is in the past tense? Does the signal word every require us to use the simple present tense since it is a habitual action even though the person does not exist, has died or no longer does the activity? Please explain the grammar rule to support the answer.
Sam lived in the mountains. His family was very poor. Every morning, Sam _____(1)_____ up early to go to school.
The choice of answers for this question were:
A get
B got
C gets
D getting
The answer given by the teacher who set the paper and as according to the reference book she used, the answer is got. However others said that the answer is gets. Which answer is correct? If gets is the answer, some of them question why should the answer be in the simple present tense when the whole passage is in the past tense? Does the signal word every require us to use the simple present tense since it is a habitual action even though the person does not exist, has died or no longer does the activity? Please explain the grammar rule to support the answer.
I would have said this.
Sam lived in the mountains. His family were very poor. Every morning, Sam would get up early to go to school.
If it were present tense it would have read like so : -
Sam lives in the mountains. His family are very poor. Every morning, Sam gets up early to go to school.
See the difference?
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Emerold99: I would have said this.
Sam lived in the mountains. His family were very poor. Every morning, Sam would get up early to go to school.If it were present tense it would have read like so : -
Sam lives in the mountains. His family are very poor. Every morning, Sam gets up early to go to school.
See the difference?
Sam lived in the mountains. His family were very poor. Every morning, Sam would get up early to go to school.If it were present tense it would have read like so : -
Sam lives in the mountains. His family are very poor. Every morning, Sam gets up early to go to school.
See the difference?
May I point out, the subject there is "his family," not "the family"? Sam has only one family, so it is singular: "His family is very poor," not "his family are very poor."
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Dagosto: May I point out, the subject there is "his family," not "the family"? Sam has only one family, so it is singular: "His family is very poor," not "his family are very poor."
point taken... I had just woken up :P
Sam lives in the mountains. His family is very poor.
Are they?
Yes they is......
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Dagosto: Consistency demands that since Sam "lived," he also "got." I find it difficult to understand why anyone would argue in favor of "gets." Only in telling jokes is an unexpected shift in temporal sense appropriate (e.g., "Sam lived in the mountains. One day he gets up...").
i think they use it in bugs bunny cartoons too haha
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LuvinHavinFun: i think they use it in bugs bunny cartoons too haha
or is it 'used' hmmmm. haha
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Dagosto: Regardless, "a family" is one. Otherwise it would be "the families," as if Sam were somehow associated with the New York Syndicate portrayed in The Godfather:
Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando): I am pleased to welcome the capi of all the five Families here today.
Sam (country boy from mountains): Whut the hell yew talkin' bout, mushmouth? T'ain't but one fambly per person.
Sonny Corleone (James Caan): BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM
Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando): I am pleased to welcome the capi of all the five Families here today.
Sam (country boy from mountains): Whut the hell yew talkin' bout, mushmouth? T'ain't but one fambly per person.
Sonny Corleone (James Caan): BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM
I'm not contesting your linguistic genius.
I'm just trying to cause trouble.
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Hello guys! Thanks for the information. Wishing all of you a great week ahead!
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This is on my The English Language According To Gallagher Thread.
Enjoy again!
Gallagher - Messing with your mind
Gallagher - Origin of the alphabet
Enjoy again!
Gallagher - Messing with your mind
Gallagher - Origin of the alphabet
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Well, family is a collective noun, so it can be used both in plural and singular forms. If you describe the condition of a family as a unit, then you should use the linking verb " to be" in singular; however, if you wish to describe the condition of each member of the family, then you can use it in plural form.
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Dagosto: May I point out, the subject there is "his family," not "the family"? Sam has only one family, so it is singular: "His family is very poor," not "his family are very poor."
Well, family is a collective noun, so it can be used both in plural and singular forms. If you describe the condition of a family as a unit, then you should use the linking verb " to be" in singular; however, if you wish to describe the condition of each member of the family, then you can use it in plural form.
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This ain't a fun thread
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bhg0405Very intelligent and real comments about the English Language.
LED ZEPPELIN : Stairway to Heaven (live).
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johnaustin123: This is on my The English Language According To Gallagher Thread.
Enjoy again!
Gallagher - Messing with your mind
Gallagher - Origin of the alphabet
Enjoy again!
Gallagher - Messing with your mind
Gallagher - Origin of the alphabet
Dear John, thank you for your threads and the U-tube. Truly entertaining!
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Dreamyone: dude you have to much time on your hand or want someone to do your homework
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Emerold99: point taken... I had just woken up :P
Sam lives in the mountains. His family is very poor.
Are they?
Yes they is......
Sam lives in the mountains. His family is very poor.
Are they?
Yes they is......
Dey is poor because theyns lives up dere in dem mountons...
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Dagosto: Consistency demands that since Sam "lived," he also "got." I find it difficult to understand why anyone would argue in favor of "gets." Only in telling jokes is an unexpected shift in temporal sense appropriate (e.g., "Sam lived in the mountains. One day he gets up...").
Im not a native English speaker but It makes lots of sense that the right answer be "got"...That would have been my answer ...
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