What is 'pluperfect'?
Dear Dr English,
I'd appreciate it if you tell me please what ÒpluperfectÓ means? I am a self-taught English-speaker.
Boonchanin Theravijanak
'Pluperfect' is an odd-looking word, but in fact this one isnÕt as odd as it might first look. Pluperfect is the same as past-perfect, which is a tense that describes an action that has already finished when another action occurs. It relies on a ÒhadÓ and a past participle as in: ÒMelanie had finished her homework when her mother came back from her shopping.Ó The words Òhad finishedÓ constitute an example of the past-perfect/pluperfect and ÒcameÓ is an example of past simple tense.
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Singular or plural nouns after 'any'?
Dear Dr English,
IÕve seen the word ÒanyÓ followed by either a singular or plural noun. What is the difference between both usages? Which is grammatically correct? Is there a rule?
Thanks,
Sawitree Somburanakul
ÒAnyÓ can be followed with either plural or singular nouns depending on the situation. When you are referring to a quantity of something, which may or may not exist, ÒanyÓ is followed by a plural noun or uncountable noun. Compare the following examples:
Any walk-in customers can rent our DVDs or CDs, we are not restricted to only members.
I wonder if there is any misunderstanding between the two of you.
But if you are talking about someone or something of a particular type, when you do not want to mention a specific person or thing, ÒanyÓ is used with singular count nouns.
You can buy a mobile phone at any shopping centre.
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Hit-and-run accident
Dear Dr English,
I read The NationÕs ÔWeekendÕ and have a question about a Òhit-and-runÓ accident. Could you explain the meaning and provide me with some examples?
Chotinat Kongpanich
As the word says, a Òhit-and-runÓ accident is a car accident in which the driver of the car who has caused the accident (hit) does not stop at the scene but drives (runs) away.
HereÕs an example: ÒOne of our news anchormen was injured in a hit-and-run accident while he was driving to work this morning.Ó
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