I’m sorry my answers were not up to the standards you expected.
First question: Which word should . . . “had” or “did”
First answer: Neither one should.
Second question: What rule applies and what is the
explanation . . . a student . . .
Second answer: No rule applies for a student of syntax because
this is a question of style or register as it relates to semantic
interpretation.
Third question: What rule applies or what is the explanation . .
. a student . . .
Third answer: The explanation to a student (one who is willing
to study) is adequate, provided the grammatical meanings of “simple”
and “past” and “perfect” are understood. The
novice in grammar, of course, does not need to know this answer. He needs
to recognize “simple past” and “past perfect”
forms.
I would advise a teacher not to throw curve balls to other
teachers; but I guess anyone can make up whatever rules of the game he wants as
long as he is in the position of distributing grades. Maybe the
real successful teachers of grammar can instruct the rest of the linguistic
world on these kinds of questions. Perhaps they will need an open book test
or some environment that allows the experienced teacher to instruct them on the
“correct” response and why it is correct.
From: Assembly for the
Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brad
Johnston
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 11:53 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Taking Allie to breakfast
The good news is that you stepped up to the plate and took
a swing at it. The bad news is that there are three questions and you
did not answer three questions. You did not even answer one of the three.
Grade: F. If you opt for the always-available make-up test, consider
the questions carefully and then answer them carefully. (Hint:
there is no past perfect option.) There is not an age-appropriate grammar student alive who
could understand what you wrote. (Aren't there any grammar teachers out
there?) .brad.09nov09.
From: Assembly for the
Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Brad Johnston
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