# English help... Is this sentence correct? **URL:** \ **Category:** English Grammar & Usage\ **Created:** [July 12, 2022, 10:39am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660 "2022-07-12T10:39:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![MikeN1](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/e19adc/32.png) [@MikeN1](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/MikeN1)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2022, 5:12am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/61 "2022-07-14T05:12:13Z")
> [@Ducked](#): > > CF the standard Chinglish “not only”…“but also” (which is not only correct but also superfluously verbose), with “and”. Agree it’s superfluosly verbose- that’s why I thought it was standard legalese. As for ‘cromulent’ > _Cromulent_ first appeared in the February 18, 1996 episode of _The Simpsons_ called “Lisa the Iconoclast,” in what could be considered a throw-away line given during the opening credits. The schoolchildren of Springfield are watching a film about the founding father of Springfield, Jebediah Springfield. The film ends with Jebediah intoning, “A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.” One teacher at the back of the room leans over to another and says that she’d never heard the word _embiggen_ before she moved to Springfield. “I don’t know why,” the other teacher replies. “It’s a perfectly cromulent word.” > The word _cromulent_ ended up in the script courtesy of a showrunner’s challenge to the writers. According to the DVD commentary for _The Simpsons_ , the showrunners asked the writers to come up with two [nonce words](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonce) that sounded like words that could be in actual use. Writer David X. Cohen came up with _cromulent_ as one of those words. It means “acceptable” or “fine.” > The joke was so sly and subtle that as “It’s a perfectly cromulent word” was repeated, it wasn’t necessarily clear to the hearer that it was a joke. In the years following the episode’s debut, _cromulent_ showed up in campus op-eds (“The words were struck down as ‘too hard,’ although both are perfectly cromulent.” Patrick Friel, University Wire, 10 Feb. 1999), reviews of movies (“This film enraged sci-fi geeks because it has almost nothing to do with the Asimov book it stole its title from. But this _I, Robot_ is a perfectly cromulent bastardization…” John Scalzi, _PlayStation Magazine_, 1 Jan. 2005), and even in the name of a [theater company](http://www.cromulentshakespeare.org/about.html). _Cromulent_ has crept so deep into the language that it has even shown up as a hypothetical example in a [Supreme Court amicus brief](https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/osg/briefs/2014/01/01/2013-0352.mer.ami.pdf). > > While we don’t yet enter _cromulent_ into our dictionaries, it’s a perfectly cromulent candidate for future entry. > > _Words We’re Watching talks about words we are increasingly seeing in use but that have not yet met our [criteria for entry](https://www.merriam-webster.com/help/faq-words-into-dictionary)._ ---
**Author:** ![Ducked](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@Ducked](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Ducked)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 1:14am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/62 "2022-07-18T01:14:30Z")
> [@MikeN1](#): > > > [@Ducked](#): > > > > CF the standard Chinglish “not only”…“but also” (which is not only correct but also superfluously verbose), with “and”. > > Agree it’s superfluosly verbose- that’s why I thought it was standard legalese. Didn’t think we were on about legalese. I thought we were on about Tchinglish, (I can invent words not-only-but-also) though I suppose there are similarities. ---
**Author:** ![MikeN1](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/e19adc/32.png) [@MikeN1](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/MikeN1)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 3:33am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/63 "2022-07-18T03:33:00Z")
> [@Ducked](#): > > Didn’t think we were on about legalese. > I thought we were on about Tchinglish, (I can invent words not-only-but-also) though I suppose there are similarities. I assumed it came from extremely formal English (mostly used today in legal jargon), and was adopted to Taiwan by those who thought it was “proper” English. I was at a school years ago that used an old textbook that insisted that proper usage demanded that subect pronouns be used after the ‘to be’ verb: “It is I” instead of “It’s me”, and presumably “Is that a picture of your family?” “Yes, it is we” and “Look! There’s Beyonce!” "That is not she! “It is so she!” ---
**Author:** ![TaipAmy](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/taipamy/32/188329_2.png) [@TaipAmy](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/TaipAmy)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 3:42am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/64 "2022-07-18T03:42:27Z")
I thought that really was proper use though as subject complements technically require subject pronouns. But it’s definitely rare in common speech. Another example would be “There’s seven chicks in the barn”. Having no contraction for “there are”, the incorrect form has become common. ---
**Author:** ![RickRoll](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/rickroll/32/180921_2.png) [@RickRoll](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/RickRoll)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 5:02am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/65 "2022-07-18T05:02:57Z")
How about “there’re”? Isn’t is a contraction for “there are”? ---
**Author:** ![TaipAmy](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/taipamy/32/188329_2.png) [@TaipAmy](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/TaipAmy)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 5:06am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/66 "2022-07-18T05:06:35Z")
I’ve heard it used occasionally, but it isn’t proper. ---
**Author:** ![Hubert\_Golightly](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a8b319/32.png) [@Hubert\_Golightly](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Hubert_Golightly)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 5:15am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/67 "2022-07-18T05:15:20Z")
I see Taiwanese students use this all the time, and I’m always shouting at them to stop. Along with “there have,” it’s one of the mistakes I find most annoying. While “there have” comes from the Chinese equivalent being translated literally into English (like “give you” for “here you are”), “there’re” is more like when children learning English assume that the comparative/superlative of good is “gooder/goodest” while the language itself doesn’t follow that rule in that case. ---
**Author:** ![TT](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/tt/32/271883_2.png) [@TT](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/TT)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 5:31am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/68 "2022-07-18T05:31:31Z")
> [@RickRoll](#): > > How about “there’re”? > Isn’t is a contraction for “there are”? As with there’ve, it’s a common spoken contraction for native speakers Neither is currently considered proper for writing, but **irregardless** of what is currently considered proper language changes over time so maybe one day these spoken contractions will be acceptable in at least informal writing ---
**Author:** ![TT](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/tt/32/271883_2.png) [@TT](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/TT)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 5:33am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/69 "2022-07-18T05:33:07Z")
> [@Hubert\_Golightly](#): > > I’m always shouting at them to stop You really shout at them? Damn, Hubert, go lightly 🤓 ---
**Author:** ![Hubert\_Golightly](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a8b319/32.png) [@Hubert\_Golightly](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Hubert_Golightly)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 7:11am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/70 "2022-07-18T07:11:02Z")
Sure. I also have “there have” permanently written on the board, and I invite the class to ridicule anyone forgetful enough to use it. Some mockery from one’s classmates is a great incentive to remember the rule. ---
**Author:** ![RickRoll](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/rickroll/32/180921_2.png) [@RickRoll](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/RickRoll)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 7:35am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/71 "2022-07-18T07:35:10Z")
Some say “there’re” is perfectly valid, some say it isn’t: > **[“There're”: The Definitive Guide](https://linguaholic.com/linguablog/there-re-contraction/#Is_therere_a_legitimate_contraction_for_there_are)** > > A big part of the English language revolves around ease and convenience. It endeavors to find ways to make life easier for both the speaker and the writer. For instance, you have several abbreviations that > **[Is “there’re” grammatically correct?](https://www.quora.com/Is-there-re-grammatically-correct/answer/Billie-Howard-6?ch=10&oid=136813552&share=74af2a99&target_type=answer)** > > Answer (1 of 44): No, it isn’t. > > You can’t look it up in dictionaries, such as Cambridge \[1\] /Collins \[2\] /Oxford \[3\] Dictionary. > > But, you maybe see it in oral English, click the next url: > > Is "there're" (similar to "there's") a correct... ---
**Author:** ![Hubert\_Golightly](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a8b319/32.png) [@Hubert\_Golightly](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Hubert_Golightly)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 8:05am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/72 "2022-07-18T08:05:56Z")
Yes. But as with one group of people claiming 2+2=3 is perfectly valid and another claiming 2+2=4 is perfectly valid, only one group is correct. ---
**Author:** ![RickRoll](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/rickroll/32/180921_2.png) [@RickRoll](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/RickRoll)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 10:02am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/73 "2022-07-18T10:02:43Z")
You may have a point there… ![image](https://forumosauploads-12829.kxcdn.com/original/3X/b/c/bc7a6a072da8bcacda30defe1547a41b8c1b83c6.png) ---
**Author:** ![TT](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/tt/32/271883_2.png) [@TT](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/TT)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 10:17am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/74 "2022-07-18T10:17:50Z")
> [@Hubert\_Golightly](#): > > I invite the class to ridicule anyone forgetful enough to use it No wonder the locals don’t generally want to learn or use English 😂 ---
**Author:** ![TT](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/tt/32/271883_2.png) [@TT](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/TT)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 10:22am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/75 "2022-07-18T10:22:55Z")
> [@RickRoll](#): > > Some say “there’re” is perfectly valid, some say it isn’t: It’s a perfectly valid way to speak, in the same way Brits have mother without an R at the end (or, the way Americans insist on pronouncing the silent R). As an oral contraction it can’t be grammatically incorrect. Languages change over time for reasons, despite the best efforts of pedants and grammar nazis But don’t put it on your resume or in an academic paper (actually, just flat out don’t use any contractions in an academic paper). In that context it would be incorrect As is often the case with language usage, context is key ---
**Author:** ![DogmaticStoic](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/dogmaticstoic/32/179644_2.png) [@DogmaticStoic](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/DogmaticStoic)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 11:19am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/76 "2022-07-18T11:19:17Z")
> [@Hubert\_Golightly](#): > > Some mockery from one’s classmates is a great incentive to remember the rule. I see you have embraced the archaic and backwards teaching ethos of the typical Taiwanese cram school. Hopefully your students aren’t children ---
**Author:** ![Hubert\_Golightly](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a8b319/32.png) [@Hubert\_Golightly](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Hubert_Golightly)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 12:04pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/77 "2022-07-18T12:04:08Z")
You’re being far too serious. With regards to “there have,” by the time students arrive in my class its use has often become habitual, so you’re not dealing with learning something but unlearning it. As such, greeting it with a fake howl of derision is no big deal if it contributes to breaking a bad habit. I teach all ages as I’m a highly experienced teacher. ---
**Author:** ![slawa](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/slawa/32/112823_2.png) [@slawa](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/slawa)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 12:46pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/78 "2022-07-18T12:46:45Z")
> [@RickRoll](#): > > You may have a point there… ![if-you-divide](https://forumosauploads-12829.kxcdn.com/original/3X/7/3/73a6f9eb4c76f8bc756f4f182da3af3e74fa4999.png) ---
**Author:** ![TT](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/tt/32/271883_2.png) [@TT](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/TT)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 1:04pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/79 "2022-07-18T13:04:06Z")
> [@Hubert\_Golightly](#): > > You’re being far too serious Says the guy who shouts at children? 🙄 I hope you can take the ridicule as well as egg on others to dish it out! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Hubert\_Golightly](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a8b319/32.png) [@Hubert\_Golightly](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Hubert_Golightly)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 1:16pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660/80 "2022-07-18T13:16:34Z")
You’re welcome to try teaching at my current school without shouting. You’ll be the only person there, of any nationality, to accomplish such a feat. [Previous page](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660.md?page=3) [Next page](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/english-help-is-this-sentence-correct/221660.md?page=5)