Grammar help for job application

[mjt]

I'm very impressed that not only did someone come to this forum for grammer advice, but that correct advice was actually given.

No shade intended; my grammer is lacking at the best of times.

I was wondering why I had a reaction to a post from 4 years ago

also. grammar

 

[bigmike20vt]

lol I hadn't noticed the age. I wonder if he got the job?

question 6 was a toss up for me.. are both correct?

a) If Alicja gets another dog, she will choose a labrador.

b)If Alicja got another dog, she would choose a Labrador

i have a feeling a) is correct however if I was casually writing it I think I would put b)

I guess got is past tense which is why it is technically incorrect but it still "feels" ok to me

 

[NickK]

See, the trouble is no one was taught grammar in this country for like 20 years. Hence I can write excellent English, mainly on account of reading a lot, and I could easily make those sentences work, but I haven’t the slightest clue what a zero or first conditional is. I doubt your prospective boss knows either.

You need to change the verbs so the sentences make sense, is literally all I can say. So the first one is “Unless Jack leaves home before 7am, he will not have time to cycle to work,” and the second is “If it is sunny, Ollie always goes to the beach.”

I know how to do it, I just don’t have the slightest idea what I’m doing or how to explain it.

Indeed. As a product of 70-80-90s education and only recently having that highlighted as a problem. I also find languages extremely difficult due to not understanding the syntax of English from first principles. Reading helps unconscious language use but it won't help you understand why for correcting others.

My mum was taught Latin from hard principles.. hence has great grammar and can pick up languages very quickly. (also helps she's smart)

 

[NickK]

Two books I would recommend:

* The Elements of Style - a small concise book written by Shrunk and White (E.B.White of Charlottes Web fame).
* My Grammar and I (or should that be Me?) by Taggart and Wines

I have others:
* Collins - Improve your Writing Skills. Good for writing letters etc
* Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne and King. Good for writing fiction.