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Business English Course Part 2
Business English Course Part 2
Incorrect: If I was the manager, I would cancel the whole project.
Correct: If I were the manager, I would cancel the whole project.
Incorrect: John led the meeting as if he was the team leader.
Correct: John led the meeting as if he were the team leader.
Explanation: When the "if" part is not true, use "were" instead of "was".
Incorrect: The manager demanded that she pays for the damage.
Correct: The manager demanded that she pay for the damage.
Incorrect: I wish he was able to give me a raise.
Correct: I wish he were able to give me a raise.
Explanation: Use plural verbs not singular when expressing wishes and demands.
Incorrect: I canceled the meeting which was scheduled tomorrow.
Correct: I canceled the meeting that was scheduled tomorrow.
Incorrect: I canceled tomorrow's meeting that wasn't important anyway.
Correct: I canceled tomorrow's meeting, which wasn't important anyway.
Explanation: Use "that" when the remaining of the sentence is essential to its meaning. Use "which" with a comma when the remaining of the sentence is just extra information.
Incorrect: Call him for an appointment; I'm sure he has sometime for you.
Correct: Call him for an appointment; I'm sure he has some time for you.
Incorrect: I am busy now. We can meet some time later.
Correct: I am busy now. We can meet sometime later.
Explanation: "Sometime" means a particular time (for example, tomorrow at 4 PM). "Some time" means a period of time (from 10 AM to 4 PM).
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Correct: If I were the manager, I would cancel the whole project.
Incorrect: John led the meeting as if he was the team leader.
Correct: John led the meeting as if he were the team leader.
Explanation: When the "if" part is not true, use "were" instead of "was".
Incorrect: The manager demanded that she pays for the damage.
Correct: The manager demanded that she pay for the damage.
Incorrect: I wish he was able to give me a raise.
Correct: I wish he were able to give me a raise.
Explanation: Use plural verbs not singular when expressing wishes and demands.
Incorrect: I canceled the meeting which was scheduled tomorrow.
Correct: I canceled the meeting that was scheduled tomorrow.
Incorrect: I canceled tomorrow's meeting that wasn't important anyway.
Correct: I canceled tomorrow's meeting, which wasn't important anyway.
Explanation: Use "that" when the remaining of the sentence is essential to its meaning. Use "which" with a comma when the remaining of the sentence is just extra information.
Incorrect: Call him for an appointment; I'm sure he has sometime for you.
Correct: Call him for an appointment; I'm sure he has some time for you.
Incorrect: I am busy now. We can meet some time later.
Correct: I am busy now. We can meet sometime later.
Explanation: "Sometime" means a particular time (for example, tomorrow at 4 PM). "Some time" means a period of time (from 10 AM to 4 PM).
Click Here For Part 1 Click Here For Part 3
