Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[BMO]

(1) I am bouncing a ball. I want to count how many time I can bounce continuously without stopping, what is the best way to say it?

1. How many times can you bounce a ball without dropping it?
2. How many times can you bounce a ball without stopping?
3. How many times can you bounce a ball continuously?

(2) Some vendors sell a variety of items and appliances for the home. Others specialize, for example, selling only fruit and vegetables or fresh fish and meat.

4. Specialize is an intr. verb, so it should be "specialize, for example, IN selling only fruit and vegitables or fresh fish and meat. "(It needs an IN)

5. Selling only fruit and vegitables or fresh fish and meat. Selling is a gerund functioning as object of preposition IN. Am I right?

Thanks.

Thanks a lot.

[bud]

Hi BMO,

1. It depends. If you are bouncing it, catching it, bouncing, catching, etc. (as with a small rubber ball), then this is fine. If you are dribbling it, as with a basketball, then this is not the best. You don't really drop a basketball when dribbling because you never actually have it in your grasp.

2. This is good for either situation because it doesn't describe how the bouncing will end.

3. This is also good.

4. Amazing, BMO! When I read the sentence, my eye automatically inserted the "in" so I didn't see the error. You are absolutely right.

5. I'll take you word for it!

Merry Christmas!

[BMO]

Hey, this is great, Merry Christmas to you too.
BMO