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12 votes
4 answers
21k views

Differences between Verb + to be + adjective and Verb + adjective

What are the differences between these two sentences? These two guys seem to be inseparable. These two guys seem inseparable. I can intuitively say that the latter one is grammatically wrong. Could ...
Baskaya's user avatar
  • 245
6 votes
2 answers
5k views

Omitting "is", like in "I think it strange"

What is the grammar behind the construction "I think it strange/necessary that ...", and when can and cannot this apparent omission of the copula be used? Do we always need the "that" clause? Also, ...
Lee's user avatar
  • 476
4 votes
4 answers
1k views

Use of "elide" --common or esoteric? [closed]

Is the word "elide" a word commonly used by English speakers, or is it a more esoteric word used in law or crossword puzzles?
Phil's user avatar
  • 41
2 votes
4 answers
1k views

What type of grammar construction is "She thinks herself (to be) able to..."?

She thinks herself able to best him in this argument. She thinks that she is able to best him in this argument. She thinks herself to be able to best him in this argument. Are the first and the ...
user74345's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
150 views

Clause in sentence

John found it surprising that Wayne played the tuba. That Wayne played the tuba is the clause, but what kind is it? I am completely stuck on this and can't figure it out.
Andie's user avatar
  • 21