Is there a difference in meaning between these two sentences

Is there a difference in meaning between these two sentences, "I was watching a movie BY eating some popcorn" and "I was watching a movie eating some popcorn"? Is adding or removing the "by" make a difference in meaning? If not, are they the same?

Yes, there is a difference in meaning between the two sentences:

1. "I was watching a movie by eating some popcorn."

- This suggests that eating some popcorn is the method by which you were watching the movie. It implies a cause-and-effect relationship where eating popcorn is instrumental to watching the movie, which doesn't quite make logical sense since eating popcorn is not a method for watching a movie. This sentence is grammatically correct but semantically odd.

2. "I was watching a movie eating some popcorn."

- This simply describes two actions happening at the same time: watching a movie and eating some popcorn. It means that while you were watching the movie, you were also eating popcorn. This sentence is natural and commonly used.

So, adding "by" introduces a method or means relationship which is not appropriate in this context, whereas omitting "by" just describes simultaneous actions, which makes sense here. Therefore, the sentences are not the same, and the removal of "by" changes the meaning to a more logical and natural one.

When do you use “are they” and “do they” in the present tense?

If the speaker makes this tag question 'Are they?'. there may be a completely stative situation. I think they are not happy with their new jobs. Are they? In the case of the second question tag 'Do they?', some action may be being discussed. They prefer to avoid attending the meeting these days. Do they?

Editing Error Exercises

 Try these exercises:

3. The following passages have not been edited. There is one error in each line. Identify the errors and write the correct word in the space provided.

Passage	Error	Correction
Reading books is a best	(a) ……………..	……………….
hobby for pass leisure. It opens	(b) ……………..	……………….
an vast new world for us. It	(c) ……………..	……………….
increases its knowledge. It	(d) ……………..	……………….
changed our outlook to see the	(e) ……………..	……………….
world.

4. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Identify the error and write the correct word in the space provided.

Passage	Error	Correction
Have you ever wonder why certain children	(a) ……………..	……………….
bubbled in energy? This energy is	(b) ……………..	……………….
reflected in their enthusiasm to learning	(c) ……………..	……………….
and excel at new things. So super active	(d) ……………..	……………….
kids score on two counts over there counterparts.	(e) ……………..	……………….

Passage	Error	Correction
The choices we makes on a daily basis-wearing a seatbelt,	(a) ……………..	……………….
lifting heavy objects correct or purposely	(b) ……………..	……………….
staying out of any danger situation-	(c) ……………..	……………….
can either ensured our safety or brought about potentially harmful circumstances.	(d) ……………..	……………….
You and I needs to make a decision	(e) ……………..	……………….
that we are going to got our lives in order.	(f) ……………..	……………….
A life without discipline was one that’s filled with carelessness.	(g) ……………..	……………….

 

English Grammar-Narration-Articles-Change of Voice-Tenses-Mixed Exercise

English Grammar-Narration-Articles-Change of Voice-Tenses-Mixed Exercise

Editing Errors-Error Detection

 

Passages for Editing

Direction: The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction against the correct blank number.

Try Answering by editing the following passage. 

 

 

Passage in lines	Wrong word	Replaced with the correct one
1.It's a scientifically prove system 2. that describe some unexpected 3.benefits of cycling. In an recent study 4.in the Journal of clinically and Diagnostic Research', 5. scientists find that people scored higher on 6.test of memory, reasoning and planning 7.after 30 minutes of spinning on a stationery 8.bike than they did before they ride the bike. 9.They also complete the tests faster after pedaling.	1 2   3   4   5 6   7   8   9	1 2   3   4   5 6   7   8   9

Answers: 1. Prove-proven; 2. describe-describes 3. am-a 4. clinically-clinical 5. scored-score 6. test-tests 7 stationer-stationary 8. ride-rode 9. complete-completed

SSC-CGL-Preparation #10 for Competitive Exams-English-Old Question Pape...