Korean Job Discussion Forums

raewon · Joined: 16 Jun 2009

I have a grammar question that I'm not sure of the answer.
Hope someone can take a stab.

Which of the following can NOT complete the sentence?

_____ that Jack has been sick for a few days.
(a) They say
(b) She believes
(c) He said
(d) She will know
(e) Mother has said

What is the correct answer... and why?

Thanks for any comments on this.

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

They all sound ok to me

ontheway · Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 7:43 am Post subject:

They are all correct in the proper context.

Tell the Korean "grammar" teachers to stop trying to make grammar tests. They don't understand English well enough to differentiate the subtile differences in meaning and the associated grammar, the way English is actually used. The translations they use and teach are wrong, the dictionaries they use are wrong, the grammar rules they teach are wrong. They need to study English before they attempt to teach it.

I've met hundreds of Korean English teachers, most of them low beginners, and only a few, the very best, were ready to study at an Intermediate level. These few were ready to begin to study English grammar, but none were qualified to teach it, let alone make a grammar test.

The Cosmic Hum · Joined: 09 May 2003 Location: Sonic Space

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

The Cosmic Hum · Joined: 09 May 2003 Location: Sonic Space

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

Yes as you know we Brits use it a lot more. In the context of someone coming into a room and seeing a lot of worried looking people and asking them what's happened and why are they worried, then it sounds natural to me.

raewon · Joined: 16 Jun 2009

Thanks for the replies. They were helpful. The answer key gave (c) as the correct answer. I knew that the answer key was wrong, but I thought there might have been a mistake in the question as well.

Thanks!

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

Presumably they're following the idea that you need to backshift in reported speech and it should be

'He said that Jack had been ill for a few days.'

However if Jack is still ill at the time of speaking this doesn't have to apply.

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

E is wrong if you are not talking to a sibling.

So, maybe they took this test question from the Chinese who have a one child policy and there is no way you could say, "Mom/Dad said we should clean up our rooms."