Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Please help check out this sentence.

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
www0935



Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 173
PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 6:01 am    Post subject: Please help check out this sentence. Reply with quote
The following is my question:

Toothpaste isn�t only for cleaning your teeth. It also has many other household uses. For example, cleaning the plate of iron you use on your clothes.

There seems to be something wrong with "For example, cleaning the plate of iron you use on your clothes". In this sentence, no main verb can be found. Can I put this way, "For example, you can clean the plate of iron you use on your clothes"? Otherwise, would someone help correct it?

Thanks a lot.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Lorikeet



Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco
PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 1:56 pm    Post subject: Re: Please help check out this sentence. Reply with quote
www0935 wrote:
The following is my question:

Toothpaste isn�t only for cleaning your teeth. It also has many other household uses. For example, cleaning the plate of iron you use on your clothes.

There seems to be something wrong with "For example, cleaning the plate of iron you use on your clothes". In this sentence, no main verb can be found. Can I put this way, "For example, you can clean the plate of iron you use on your clothes"? Otherwise, would someone help correct it?

Thanks a lot.


I think the sentence means "For example, it can be used for cleaning...." but I don't know anyone who would say, "the plate of iron you use on your clothes." We might say "the bottom of your iron" or something like that. You are right, though. It's not a "perfect" sentence, but when we speak or write informally, we often leave things out.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group