Thank you,
John

Debra

I think your technique of finding a connection between the target language and your primary language is key to understanding. Some people confuse this with translating, but it’s not. Your technique is the right way. Sometimes, the grammars from one language to another won’t correspond as nicely as English and Portuguese, but connecting the fundamentals from one language to another can provide innumerable benefits.

Are you a teacher or a student? I’m always curious to know who my readers are!

Thanks again for reading!
Debra

essential dependent clause = restrictive adjective subordinate clause

non-essential dependent clause =
explanatory adjective subordinate clauses.

The idea is the same, i think:

If the sentence make complete sense withouth the clause, put commas around the explanatory clause (non-essential).

If the sentence make not complete sense without the clause, don’t put commas arount the restrictive clause (essencial).
That is it, i suppose.
Great Work.
Thanks

Thanks for reading and commenting. In the examples you presented, You have changed the present perfect progressive form of the verb “hear” to a grammatical structure that contains a gerund instead. I agree with your way of handling the sentence structure, and avoiding any confusion about whether hear is stative or active in this context.

I would like to add, however, that both of your statements are equally grammatically correct. “Hear” isn’t exclusively stative all the time, and in this context, it sounds like the speaker used the progressive verb tense appropriately, even though the verb “hear” is used.

Let’s review the present perfect progressive rule. To paraphrase, the present perfect progressive is used when an ongoing action begins in the past and is still happening. “I have been hearing many broadcasters reel out words incorrectly,” follows this rule:

• The broadcasters started reeling in the past, when I first heard them.
• They’re still reeling, and I can still hear them.
• Therefore, “I’ve been hearing them reel/reeling out words incorrectly,” fits.

I love these kinds of dialogues, so again, thank you for presenting your question here, and I hope to hear from you again!
Debra

First, I’d like to say thank you for addressing this fundamental issue about language: the fact that it changes. Language usage is pliable, but grammar (the rules that govern usage) is less so.

Grammar reference lists are everywhere from textbooks to blogs, so when phrases like “I’m loving it” become prevalent in our culture (just watch a McDonald’s commercial!), the change in usage makes English learners uncomfortable because it contradicts the rules they learned early in Basic English.

The reference lists (example: a list of stative verbs) provide good information to get acquainted with the basics of language. We depend on lists for academics, studying, and generally making sure we say the right thing. Naturally, confusion arises when a rule from one of these lists contradicts what is heard.

In your example (Are you hearing what your dad is saying?), there is an active context requiring a progressive verb (be + hear + -ing). In this case, the speaker used the grammar correctly, but the usage of the verb “hear” contradicts our lists.

Ultimately, usage changes faster than grammar, and just because people choose the “wrong” word in their expression based on a list, the usage doesn’t mean they’re using grammar incorrectly. The lists we use are not arbitrary, but they are limited in how they can help us once we get to a certain language level.

When students get to such an advanced level that they begin questioning (and doubting) the rules, they should be advised to rely less on the reference list, and instead focus more on the context. They should also be congratulated for meeting a critical milestone in language!

I hope I’ve addressed your concerns. If not, I would be interested in continuing this discussion. Just leave a comment, and I’ll reply!

Thank you,
Debra