Read some questions that have been answered about grammar, they may help you.

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:35

Hy! I have some doubts about when we must use to or for before a verb. I feel insecure so I sometimes do the same mistakes when I have to write a composition.

I know for example that after It's I have to use to. Example: It's bad manners to be late

But I don´t know which to choose for or to in the next sentences:

- I listen to English radio shows to improve/for improving my English

- I have bought a car to pick up/ for picking up you from school

Thanks!

Ana

17/01/2012 09:35

+ 2

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 03:32

Hello Ana!

First of all the word 'to' is used as a 'marker' before the base form of a verb:

As in your sentence:

I listen to English radio shows to improve my English.

He goes to work by bus.

They like to play tennis.

Also the word 'to' is a proposition, a word that joins words, phrases or sentences,

I will give these flowers to my sick friend. However:

I bought some flowers for my sick friend.

See this sentence which uses both words for a different purpose:

We are going to London for the weekend.

The first half says where you are going to and the last part tells you how long for.

Your other sentence is better said like this

I have bought a car so that I can pick you up from school .

If you say 'I have bought a car to take you to school' or 'I have bought a car for taking you to school.' both these sentences are not right; both suggests that the car is going to take someone to school.

To be correct, you need to give a reason why you have bought the car '.....so that I can take you to school.'

Here are some ways of using the word 'for' :

My mother gave me a watch for my birthday.

This is a picture of a spoon which is used for stirring your tea, taking medicine from or eating a boiled egg with.

I am so sorry for the way that I spoke to you !

I have been waiting here for over an hour.

Here, the word 'for' is followed by a reason, information or explanation.

It is not easy to put the use of these two words into a nutshell, Ana.

I hope some of these examples help you to understand. I can't think of anyother examples, it is now 2.30am.

I'll have a look through this tomorrow to see if it makes sense - and I will have to correct myself if it doesn't !! :)

June :)

18/01/2012 02:32

+ 2

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 21:22

Good Afternoon, June. I´ve a dude about this sentence: “This tie doesn’t combine with your shirt.”What´s wrong? Since this moment I thank you!

27/01/2012 20:22

+ 1

Sat, 01/28/2012 - 03:47

Hello jkhex!

I have a -doubt (do you mean 'doubt' when you say dude? ) about this sentence:

This tie does not match your shirt.

'combine' means to 'join' or 'mix together.

If you are baking you 'combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl. (You mix them together.)

'match' in your sentence means that the shirt and the tie do not look good together.

You either need to change the shirt or the tie., one or the other is the wrong cololr

People often buy the curtains in their home to match the covers or the colour of the carpet.

Woman but shoes to match their outfit.They choose the colour of the shoes that look good with their outfit..

Hope this helps.

June :)

28/01/2012 02:47

+ 6

Sun, 01/29/2012 - 17:01

What about harmonize, June?

29/01/2012 16:01

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 03:09

Hello Keti!

Well this is a vast subject 'harmonize' I would have to discuss the wheel of colour, music and even sociology or philosophy to talk about people 'harmonizing or living in harmony. :)

I won't however, because I am only teasing - but 'harmonize' is a big umbrella covering many things - art, architecture , music etc.

To harmonize means to 'be in harmony' so that things are pleasing to the eye, the ears and to the human mind and to social relationships.

With things like mens shirts and ties, clothes in general, the terms 'to match or to 'go with' are used.

Meaning that a tie should complement the shirt either in colour or the pattern. I think we have all seen the man wearing a typical shirt, but wearing a 'flashy' tie, meaning a tie in bright gaudy colours or having a printed figure of a woman in a bikini or a cartoon character.This tie does not complement or 'go with' the shirt.

Bedroom furnishing nearly always 'match' that is to say the bedspread and curtain usually match by having the same pattern and colours.

People live in 'harmony' with each other if they share the same interests have a similar temperament. They can live or socialize together without quarrelling or sulking or unpleasantness.

There, in a nutshell, I think is the men's terrible sense of colour and what they look like when they go out in a shirt and tie that has not been chosen or vetted by their wife, mother or girlfriend! :)

Thank you keti for your suggestion I hope this has answered it.

June :) :)

01/02/2012 02:09

+ 3

Sun, 01/29/2012 - 17:59

In music, the implementation of harmony, usually by using chords, including harmonized scales.

And what do you think, June?

29/01/2012 16:59

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 03:55

Hello Muttuar!

I referred to music in the answer above, but I had seen your comment so I thought I would answer you.

The word 'harmony' is always associated with music; personally I think the two go together as naturally as - well, the night sky and the moon, sunlight and shadow - music and harmony!

Everybody knows the terrible the noise created by someone learning to play the violin, and the contrast of listening to a maestro playing a piece by Vivaldi, Beethoven or any other composer of beautiful music.

Also, what about the beauty of the human voice singing sacred music in unison and unaccompanied?

I remember many years ago listening to a discussion on the 'music of the spheres.'

The ancient Greeks thought that perfectly harmonious music was produced by the heavenly stars and planets as they moved through space. This music could not be heard by human ears on earth.

Rather a nice idea!

I agree with you Muttuar, music is the embodiment of harmony!

June :)

01/02/2012 02:55

+ 5

Tue, 01/31/2012 - 07:52

Hello June,

Is there any rule about using "Whether" or "If" in a sentence?

Thanks in advance

31/01/2012 06:52

+ 1

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 01:09

Hello Marc!

This is a good question.

Use 'if' when you write a sentence with only one condition.

Sentences with 'if'

A conditional sentence means that something has to happen or take place first before another thing can happpen or take place:

He is going to take me to the cinema if he finishes work early.

My boss is going to give me a rise if I can show him that I am worth the extra money!

If we do not have enough money, we will not be able to on holiday this year.

You can have a birthday party if you are good.

Farther Christmas won't come if you don't go to sleep! :) :)

Use 'whether' when you write a sentence that gives an alternative or a possibility.

You usually use 'or not' or it is implied:

Sentences with 'whether':

I will let you know whether I can take you to the cinema .

They had to decide whether to go out or stay in as the weather was not very good.

We did not know whether to go by bus or train.

He could not decide whether to tidy his flat or go out for a drink with his friends. :)

You usually use 'whether' after such verbs as 'see'; 'ask', 'wonder'; 'doubt' etc.

I wonder whether my friend's boyfriend is serious or not.

They asked whether they could share a taxi with us at the end of the evening .

He doubted whether he would see the girl again after their first date.

Marc, I think I will leave it there.

I hope this helps.

June :)

02/02/2012 00:09

+ 3

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