Korean Job Discussion Forums

[T-J]

A parallel example, irony aside.

A subject I can understand is speaking English.

Subject = subject
Verb (linking) = is
Object (complement) = speaking (gerund)

I can understand is a clause because it 1. Contains a subject and verb 2. Is incomplete 3. Defines the subject

The infinitive (to speak) is grammatically acceptable as a substitute for the gerund in the above.

This really isn't that difficult of a question. I'm a little surprised by some of the responses.

[BreakfastInBed]

[T-J]

Simple way to determine if it's a clause or a subject is to remove it.

Example:

One thing I can do well is playing the piano.

Remove I can do well and you're left with a complete sentence.

One thing is playing the piano.

It really can't be any simpler.

After you have identified the subject and verb is it really hard to understand you need a complement?

Do you people teach English or just talk it?

I am sorry for getting defensive. I usually don't in more nuanced debates. But this one seems pretty straight forward.

[BreakfastInBed]

I totally get it.

Nevertheless, when I ask myself the question, 'What is one thing that you can do well?' as I think about it, running through my mind is not, 'one thing is... one thing is...,' but rather, 'I can... I can...' That is why semantically it makes perfect sense to me that the answer work grammatically with 'can,' regardless of the form the answer takes, e.g. 'Play the piano,' 'I can play the piano well,' 'One thing that I can do well is play the piano,' 'One thing is play the piano.' The focus of the question is on what you can do, the focus of the answer is on what you can do. The meaning for all parties involved is focused on what can be done. That is why a) sounds good to me and the others don't.

I realize I have offended your sensibilities and probably embarrassed myself, but it was fun to think about. I pity the poor souls who have to take these tests.

[The Cosmic Hum]

damn sorry for this long post�

a) One thing I can do well is play the piano.
b) One thing I can do well is to play the piano.
c) One thing I can do well is playing the piano.

Seems to be some debate on this�not sure if I can be of help, but for what it is worth�

Rewriting these sentences is better for analyzing them grammatically.

c) is not wrong�TJ is correct about that.
It is easier to see why it is correct when the sentence is rewritten without the clauses mixed. (will explain more in a moment.)
Playing the piano is one thing I can do well.
This is correct (descriptively and prescriptively), and if written this way it would be the best answer.

b)..hmmm
To play the piano is one thing I can do well. (?)
While this may be prescriptively correct, to me it is all kinds of awkward. Is this regionally acceptable somewhere?
While gerunds and infinitives can often be interchanged in certain constructions to be used as complements, I�m not sure this construction allows for it. (someone else can take a shot at it.)

However, with the way the sentences are originally written, I only like the first one - a)

Edward has already stated its grammaticality in terms of the abbreviated version�or ellipsis.
And Akrono has already mentioned the cleft.

If we put these both together, the grammatical correctness of a) becomes more obvious.

One thing (that I can do well) is (I can) play the piano.

�and it has an intuitive answer to the obvious question.

What can you do well?
I can play the piano well.


The reason I don�t like original c) is not the grammar so much but rather the style.

Sorry to get technical, but as TJ is correctly pointing out, the grammar is ok for c)

The problem I have with c) is that it is being written without care for good style.

Breaking it down a bit, it becomes much clearer why there is confusion and how it could easily be avoided.
One thing (that I can do well) is playing the piano.

Again�TJ is correct about focusing on the clauses.
I hope he doesn�t mind if I add a bit as I think there is some still some confusion.
One thing is playing the piano. � independent clause � IC
(I agree there is a problem with �thing� and without the dependent clause there would also be a problem with context
��is playing� would sound verbal - style wise � bad form.)
that I can do well � dependent restrictive relative (adjective) clause � DC

Now here is where another problem with style comes in, and BnB is also making a good point.

The author of c) and b) has mixed the clauses without regard for the verbal components.
This puts the verb �do� and �is� in competition for meaning and the ear�where �do� is the stronger verb, and this is one way native speakers listen for meaning.

{c) - has the subject of independent clause divided from its main verb �is��as such this leaves the verb of the dependent clause �do� sounding like the main verb.}

c) One thing I can do well is playing the piano. (�do� and �is� are too close together and are crossed in clausal construction)

c) (Playing the piano is one thing) ([that] I can do well). (�is� and �do��no longer compete for sound or meaning in clausal construction)

If you are listening to the main clause verb (is) then as TJ has mentioned, c) would sound more natural. Again, personally, I think b) is an odd construction, and someone else would have to defend that one.

If you are listening to the subordinate clause verb (do), then a) sounds more natural.

So in the end, if c) were rewritten with IC DC as distinct constructions
Playing the piano is one thing I do well. � Best answer

As the sentences are originally, I would go with a)

Sheesh�sorry I couldn�t give you a shorter answer�a lot of grammaring in this one.
Anyway�hope it is useful.

[edwardcatflap]

There are often two kinds of answer when you come across a question from a test like this. What does the person who wrote the test think is the incorrect sentence and what would be the least normal utterance from a native speaker?

My answer to the first question is probably A because you can see the test writer is thinking of gerunds and infinitives being used instead of nouns (what TJ said) but my answer to the second question would be B, as stylistically it's probably the least native speaker-like.

[The Cosmic Hum]

[T-J]

Which I gave a nod to in my first post.
In terms of common usage by native speakers from most common to least, I would rank the examples A, C, B. grammatically speaking though A remains incorrect.

[The Cosmic Hum]

[bbunce]

None of these are correct cuz the dude can't play the piano..

[BreakfastInBed]

Stellar analysis Cosmic Hum! Pun intended.

[The Cosmic Hum]