Search found 1195 matches

by LarryLatham
Mon Apr 08, 2013 5:27 am
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: quick grammar question: "It's more likely than not it w
Replies: 7
Views: 20551

It is an excellent introduction, IMO. I downloaded it for free a while back, but I forgot from where. A google search would probably find it again, though.
by LarryLatham
Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:07 am
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: quick grammar question: "It's more likely than not it w
Replies: 7
Views: 20551

I did read what you posted from Talor in your reply to Jotham's comment to Tessa Olive's question. It seems reasonable enough, but I also agree with your subsequently expressed opinion that Michael Lewis has the clearest, easiest to understand and perhaps most rigorous treatment of modal auxiliaries...
by LarryLatham
Sun Apr 07, 2013 12:25 pm
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: quick grammar question: "It's more likely than not it w
Replies: 7
Views: 20551

Hello Fluff and Hereinchina, Although I rarely login anymore, having retired long ago and being generally persuaded of my limitations now, given that I'm out of practice, I'm currently in Hong Kong enjoying the delights of this fine city, and, having a little time available decided to check out the ...
by LarryLatham
Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:05 am
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Earthquake!
Replies: 41
Views: 31257

Hi John,

Nice to see you again.
by LarryLatham
Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:28 pm
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Looking for grammar textbook/course/self tutorial
Replies: 8
Views: 13733

Welcome to So. Cal., Sally, and hope you enjoy your visit hereabouts. (You'll still be north of where I am by more than 100 miles.) I see you're continuing to add to your list of interesting places in the world where you live and work. You certainly do lead an interesting life! Hard to think of anyt...
by LarryLatham
Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:56 am
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Looking for grammar textbook/course/self tutorial
Replies: 8
Views: 13733

Hi yourself, Duncan,

It was nice poking my head in the door there at Dave's and seeing you and Sally are still there and going strong as ever.

How's the book going?

Larry
by LarryLatham
Sun Jul 24, 2011 10:03 pm
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Looking for grammar textbook/course/self tutorial
Replies: 8
Views: 13733

Hi Pengyou, I'm guessing from the screen name you have given yourself that you are Chinese, though I hasten to note that if English is not your first language, the language you use in your question is first rate English. Both Sally and Fluffy can be relied upon always for excellent information and a...
by LarryLatham
Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:45 pm
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: He must be rich, ....... he?
Replies: 11
Views: 25252

Hi All, Just dropped in for a moment, as I occasionally do when I'm in the mood. I'd say, gents, listen to your master, the fluffy one. I think he has his finger on the right elements, as usual. But I'll suggest one more thing: Does this sentence require or even suggest a tag? One might say: "He mus...
by LarryLatham
Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:01 pm
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Anyone use the Lexical Method?
Replies: 17
Views: 41056

Yes, that is an excellent article. This summary from the "conclusion" section seems to sum what teachers can think about when preparing their lessons: "Students should be encouraged to collect a lot of examples of a particular structure before being invited to analyse it. Hence, analysis should be p...
by LarryLatham
Wed Oct 13, 2010 6:26 pm
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Anyone use the Lexical Method?
Replies: 17
Views: 41056

Don't know, Fluffy, how well known Lewis is in North America. (Lori, if you're listening, maybe you are better equipped to comment on this than I am.) I personally did not have the pleasure of meeting him, so to speak, until after I had gone abroad to teach. I was browsing one afternoon in the ELT s...
by LarryLatham
Wed Oct 13, 2010 5:15 am
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Anyone use the Lexical Method?
Replies: 17
Views: 41056

...The main value then IMHO of the LA lies in its altering thinking, and pointing teachers in the direction of resources (research findings, corpora, dictionaries, innovative textbooks etc) and individual R&D (in order to produce materials) by the teachers themselves.... Bravo! You have so precisel...
by LarryLatham
Sun Sep 19, 2010 6:48 pm
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Is use of the future continuous incorrect here ?
Replies: 15
Views: 67969

"...As for exceptions, there aren't (m)any. I'm tempted to say 'any'. There are plenty of exceptions to the rules as they are given but that means we need better rules, at least for ourselves... Bravo, Juan! And I'm so glad you added, "...at least for ourselves." You rightly remind us all that some...
by LarryLatham
Sun Sep 19, 2010 4:42 pm
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Is use of the future continuous incorrect here ?
Replies: 15
Views: 67969

No debate at all is needed, Daleglendale, and I agree with your finding that the original sentence is bogus on an exam. It would seem to fall into that area where the exam writers apparently want to "trick" students, or trip them up unnecessarily. What I would like to know is, "Where do these exam w...
by LarryLatham
Sat Sep 18, 2010 11:15 pm
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Grammar question: Difference between "can" and &qu
Replies: 11
Views: 30921

No argument. But that's just the point. "Remoteness" can be visualized physically. The difference between "here" and "there" can be understood as a matter of remoteness. Then the same concept can be used with "can" and "could", or even between "jump" and "jumped." It is precisely the simplicity that...
by LarryLatham
Sat Sep 18, 2010 8:47 pm
Forum: Applied Linguistics
Topic: Grammar question: Difference between "can" and &qu
Replies: 11
Views: 30921

Generally speaking then, when talking about possiblities, "could" is less certain than "can".[/i] Another way to say this is "could" is more remotely possible than "can." The difference seems important to me because "remoteness" can be explored as a separate concept which appears to apply widely in...