Hi Good Evening!
Many a times, my students have asked me when, where and how to use 'KIND' in the sense of 'type'. Most of them are often confused about whether to use 'this kind of questions...' , 'these kind of questions...' or 'these kinds of questions...'
Speaking of one kind, with 'this' or 'that', use a singular construction: 'this kind of mistake is not very serious'; 'That kind of dress doesn't suit you'.
On the other hand, while speaking of more than one kind, use a plural construction: 'these kinds of mistakes are not very serious'; 'those kinds of dresses don't suit you'.
More examples:
I love this kind of film.
I love these kinds of films.
Don't buy this kind of book.
Don't buy these kinds of books.
Although the 'ungrammatical these kind' has been used by many writers for many centuries, modern writers and grammarians prefer to avoid this usage.
NB Remember the same rule applies to 'SORT' too.
Jacob (Nova English Campus)
Showing posts with label written English tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label written English tips. Show all posts
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
CANNOT or CAN NOT? Which is correct?
CANNOT or CAN NOT?
Although both these words are correct and used all over the world, CANNOT is more widely used in standard (formal) written English, and, no doubt, the majority of the renowned writers prefer to use it.
The form CAN NOT is, however, widely used in informal written English.
But there are certain situations in which CAN NOT must be preferred. For example:
"Jane CAN NOT only sing, but also dance".
In this sentence, using CANNOT may cause a little confusion.
Likewise, if you want to say/write something emphatically, use CAN NOT even in formal context as in:
"You CAN NOT enter the class tomorrow without your notebook".
A final word: if you are so confused about using the right form of the word, then use "CAN'T". No doubt the orthodox purists of the language may frown upon it, arguing that it is the colloquial contraction. But, definitely though slowly, CAN'T is getting popularity in the world of both formal as well as written English.
Please leave your valuable cemments & give feed back if you think my blog is of a little help to you....
Good Night
Binu Jacob (Nova English Campus, Amritsar)
Although both these words are correct and used all over the world, CANNOT is more widely used in standard (formal) written English, and, no doubt, the majority of the renowned writers prefer to use it.
The form CAN NOT is, however, widely used in informal written English.
But there are certain situations in which CAN NOT must be preferred. For example:
"Jane CAN NOT only sing, but also dance".
In this sentence, using CANNOT may cause a little confusion.
Likewise, if you want to say/write something emphatically, use CAN NOT even in formal context as in:
"You CAN NOT enter the class tomorrow without your notebook".
A final word: if you are so confused about using the right form of the word, then use "CAN'T". No doubt the orthodox purists of the language may frown upon it, arguing that it is the colloquial contraction. But, definitely though slowly, CAN'T is getting popularity in the world of both formal as well as written English.
Please leave your valuable cemments & give feed back if you think my blog is of a little help to you....
Good Night
Binu Jacob (Nova English Campus, Amritsar)
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