Grammar Check! Which is right?

[Oracle]

OK, my mother used to be a teacher and is fairly good at all things english, etc, etc.

We were having a chat the other day and I was telling her about this guy at work. Now, I pride myself on English, especially my ability to spell with minimal errors (if any), and my use (grammatical or otherwise) of the English language (init!) .

In this particular example, I said the following:

"Steve was sat in his chair when............"

My mother corrected me and told me that it should be

"Steve was sitting in his chair when................"

Now, tbh imo lol, I don't really care, as they both sound acceptable, and whilst I appreciate her reasoning, I felt my way was justified as I was talking about a past event.

What do you lot reckon.

 

[Van Hellseek]

your mum is right.

 

[RandomTom]

listen to your mother, or p4radox, he corrects me saying this in real life, haha.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

The first one sounds blatantly wrong to my American ears (or is that eyes?). It's not even close.

 

[Van Hellseek]

I pride myself on English.

isn't this wrong too?

 

[Nozzer]

"I'd driven a manual 535d"
"I drove a manual 535d"

Both acceptable provided you alter the verb accordingly.

 

[PeterNem]

This example might make it clearer why your mum is right...

"Oracle was drove in his BMW 535D manual" - wrong

"Oracle was driving in his BMW 535D manual" - right


edit: pffft, damn you Noz!!

 

[MikeTimbers]

your mum is right.

true

 

[Darcy]

Your mother is right.

all things english, etc, etc.

P.s. Capital 'E' for English.

 

[Oracle]

Dam you mother................dam you nozzer! (same person tbh!)

 

[Scrutinize]

(slightly edited by me)

"Oracle was sat in his chair when............he decided to pay his debt of £53"

My mother corrected me and told me that it should be

"Oracle was sitting in his chair when................he decided to pay his debt of £53"

The latter is the correct way of putting it.

 

[shifty_uk]

While we're on the subject. I'm sure you cannot start a sentence with and, because or but etc. I constantly see people around the Internet, and even in books doing this.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I cannot do so because you are correct.

 

[Scrutinize]

I cannot do so because you are correct.

You can start a sentence with Because.

Oracle had failed to pay his debt for two months running. Because of this he is being taken to court.

 

[SpicyDuck]

Considering you're proud of your ability to use the English language, I'm quite shocked at the poor structure, grammar and punctuation in your opening post.

Still, it doesn't mean you can't be proud of your use of the English language.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

You can start a sentence with Because.

Oracle had failed to pay his debt for two months running. Because of this he is being taken to court.

You're right.

 

[shifty_uk]

Oracle had failed to pay his debt for two months running. Because of this he is being taken to court.

Oracle had failed to pay his debt for two months running. As a result of this, he is being taken to court.

?

I'm still sure you can't start a sentence with because.

 

[Oracle]

You can start a sentence with Because.

Oracle had failed to pay his debt for two months running. Because of this he is being taken to court.

Should actually be

"Because of this, he is being taken to court.

It is actually bad Engrish to use b'cos for the start of a sentence. Most people are taught never to start a sentence with 'because'

You could of said......

In light of this,.....................

 

[Scrutinize]

Oracle had failed to pay his debt for two months running. As a result of this, he is being taken to court.

?

I'm still sure you can't start a sentence with because.

You can, people do. It adds variation in conclusions to the usual summary speak:

As a result
Therefore
Further to
In releation to
Becuse of this

However if they do, they usually get lots of red pen and lines through it.

 

[Oracle]

You can, people do. It adds variation in conclusions to the usual summary speak:

As a result
Therefore
Further to
In releation to
Becuse of this

It may be 'spoken', but you will seldom see it written.