hello everyone

For us who are not English speaking and have not gotten so much training in English grammar , we notice very often in sermons and teachings and books the preacher/author uses these words, now i have figured out some.... since a verb is called exactly a verb in swedish to :-). But after that there are many that just leaves me scratching my head ....and many times i just guess... but i want to know now ....so if anyone has some spare time in helping this unlearned swede i would be very grateful, and i would also be helpful for a website or something or an article that just explains this in a easy childlike understanding.

Many thanks...

Christian

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CHRISTIAN

Sure Christian, if you translate your Blog for me. ;-)

Your Blog looks very good.

I wasn't sure which of these you would prefer so I'll just post the link to the Search.

http://www.google.com/search?q=english+grammar+basics&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

I'm wondering though, is it English Grammar or Greek Grammar that you're looking at?

I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you that your posts or threads have been a blessing to me.
This may sound off the wall but - I have a feeling that you could be used in a major way in Evangelism in Sweden. But you know what the reward will be from men on earth for that -- But how great it will be in Heaven for it.
That's it.
All the best with your grammar search.
God richly Bless you Christian. Be of good cheer.

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CHRISTIAN

Hear I go saying, "I had a feeling".
But I had a feeling you wanted the Greek Verb tenses - 'particles' & all.
You could try this one - http://www.foundalis.com/lan/grkverbs.htm
The charts and how used in sentences helps.
Over here in the U.S., we say "squeaky clean" -- is that how clean you're wanting to be first. 8-)
Have a great day in Jesus.

hmmhmm,

I'm amazed at anyone that knows more than one language as you do. I am trying to learn all over again my own English language such as: Verbs, Pronouns, etc. For the simple reason that my study Bible calls for it. The [u]Newberry Bible[/u] and boy is it rich and deep already but to have to go back and learn my English to better understand my Bible now thats tough. :-?

Hi Christian,

Yes! Your posts bless me also!


About English grammar... I believe there are tenses in Greek which we do not identify, because in English we often use more than one word to describe an action or direction.


Simply to get a consistent translation of all the verbs in the text from the original language to English, I would recommend Young's Literal Translation. The only Bible website I use is [url=www.olivetree.com]www.olivetree.com[/url] where you can find it listed amongst the translations under the Online Bible Search link at the foot of the home page.

Young's is available elsewhere on the net, where tools for textual analysis are better than at olivetree.

Hi Julian,

I echo your thought on Christian's English which is growing better all the time.

You posted while I was writing something to add about 'articles'. I toyed with sending it to Christian privately, but since you have mentioned your interest in improvement, (although you may know what follows already as some do), I'll post below for everyone who's interested.

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CHRISTIAN

[b]An other[/b] good thing about Young's translation, is that he is meticulous in retaining whether the definite article [i]the[/i] or the indefinite article [i]a[/i] is used originally.


As I've noticed that a few on SI whose [i]first[/i] language is English, are unsure when [u]an[/u] should be used instead of [u]a[/u], I hope this offering is helpful to some. I enjoy trying to explain these points but realise the limitations of a [i]written[/i] presentation of them.


The history of this practice is rooted in our natural inclination to make [i]spoken[/i] language flow as easily as possible.


But when [i]writing[/i] down this spoken language for formal purposes, [u]all[/u] words should be spelled in full and initials (such as 'KJV') should not be used.

Initials should not be used in speech [i]either[/i], in any formal setting.

As English is continually evolving, and drawing in words from other languages it is understood that spellings may vary. Therefore, your ears are always your best aid in deciding how to proceed when writing.


[u]A general Guide[/u]

[color=006699]When the [u]in[/u]definite article is needed and the next word begins with a [i]vowel[/i] - a, e, i, o, u - [u]a[/u] is [u]always[/u] changed to [u]an[/u].[/color]

Examples:

The first in this list is the [i]short[/i] sounding use of the vowel, the second is the [i]long[/i] sounding use of the vowel.

an apple, an ape,
an envelope, an egret,
an ink-pot, an item,
an olive, an odour,
an umbrella, an uniform.


You notice the 'long' sound is also the [i]name[/i] of a vowel.

When a word begins with [i]two[/i] letters which make the [u]same[/u] [i]sound[/i] the same rule applies; for instance, [i]eagle[/i] also begins with the sound of the name of [i]'e'[/i].

Examples:

an air, an aeroplane,
an eiderdown, an eye,
an eerie,
an oar,
an euphemism.


There are two exceptions to note.

The first is: nouns beginning with 'h' also should preceded by 'an' rather than 'a'.

Examples:

an hangar, an haven,
an honour, an hotel,
an help, an heap,
an hill, an hire,
an hunger, an hue.


I realise that even in speech these are falling out of use, but this cannot be because it makes the language easier to speak, as it does not.


The second exception is when [u]in[/u]formal English is written down, and uses the initial letter of the [u]word[/u] intended, instead of the full spoken word.

For ease of flow both in reading, and particularly if such [i]text[/i] is to be [u]read aloud[/u], one must [i]listen[/i] to the [u]names of the consonants[/u] (all the alphabet except the vowels), and apply 'an' before those letter-names which [i]begin[/i] with a [u]vowel[/u] [i]sound[/i].

Examples:

[u]an[/u] N.U.S. rep (NUS = National Union of Students) should be spoken formally as '[u]a[/u] National Union of Students representative'.

[u]an[/u] M.O.T. certificate (MOT = Ministry of Transport) should be spoken formally as '[u]a[/u] Ministry of Transport certificate'.

.... you get the idea.


This brings me to one last little point about English pronunciation.

In the sentence 'you get the idea', the 'e' of 'the' is pronounced [i]ee[/i] as in [i]thee[/i].

This is true for all the other ('th[u]ee[/u] other') possibilities of 'the' preceding a word which begins with a vowel sound.

In fact, whichever part of (written) speech begins with the vowel sound, [color=006699]('th[u]ee[/u]' in [i]spoken English only[/i] or)[/color] 'an' should be used.

We looked at nouns (above) but since the object of using 'an' is to achieve flowing [u]speech[/u] primarily, 'an' can also precede adjectives (or other words which require this spoken flow).

Examples:

an honest man,
an open heart,
an under-dog,
an even surface.


In older written English - [i]mine eyes[/i], [i]Thine eyes[/i] and [i]thine heart[/i] - we retain the same principle but these days we would not refer to [i]mine apples[/i] any more. :-P


Thank you for your patience. :-)


EDIT:

For those who are wondering about the other consonant which often sounds like a vowel in speech - y - this is classed as a 'semi-vowel'.

As in English it usually occurs within or at the end of words and its name begins with double-you (duhb-uhl-yoo) - a consonant sound - it will rarely come under the rules above.

Dorcas,
You're from the UK right?
Judging by your grammar and knowledge of the english language I would think so. I love the way that the UK has done so much better at preserving the beauty of the english language. Here in America we've done a marvellous job of butchering our english.
Do you personally use [i]an[/i] before your 'H' nouns? I have picked up that habit somewhat just because it's easier, it flows so much better, and it sounds so much better (in my mind anyway).
If I understand it correctly the H's were silent in old english as they are in french because of the french influence on the english language which is why in classic english you use [i]an[/i] before 'H' nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

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Jeff Mollman