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btruding even when beholding the mightiest royal beadle on his throne
spans
Dec 21, 2012 13:47
11 yrs ago
2 viewers *
English term

Do you speak English but need to practice? (grammar of this sentence)

English Other Linguistics grammar
Hi everyone,
I have this question that has been bothering me for a while, maybe it's quite simple but I can't work it out on my own.

Would the phrasing "Do you speak English but need to practice?" be correct? I get the sense that, since the person's capacity to speak English is not being questioned, but rather affirmed, the "do you speak English" part wouldn't be correct.

The same has troubled me with option questions:
Client: ¿Will you send me a new card or can I continue to use the one I already have?
In this one the problem would be with the question form of the second part. In this case the question form sound more acceptable to me, but still somehow troublesome since, even though the first part is a question "will you send a new card?" the second part would be more of an assertion "otherwise, I can continue to use the old one".

What if the question was on the other party?
"Do you want us to send you a new card or you will continue to use the same one?"
Should I use question form for the "you will/will you continue to use the same one?"? Why?

Thanks in advance for your answer, questions, comments and references. :)
Responses
4 +4 Some comments below
4 +2 Do you already speak/know English, but need to practice?
5 Do you need to practice your English?
References
PractiSE for verb in Br Eng
Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

Non-PRO (1): Ildiko Santana

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Discussion

Sheila Wilson Dec 22, 2012:
Practice/practise Just to note that the verb form in British English would be "practise"; the noun in both (all?) variants is "practice". :)

Responses

+4
49 mins
Selected

Some comments below

"Do you speak English, but need to practice?" is perfectly correct (I've added a comma) - it's just a polite form of phrasing.

"Client: ¿Will you send me a new card or can I continue to use the one I already have?" is OK - I'd say " Will you send me a new card or should I continue using the one I already have?" but it's a small difference.

"Do you want us to send you a new card or you will continue to use the same one?" - no.
The "will you" form because its a question is needed
Peer comment(s):
agree Tina Vonhof (X) : "Mmore practice" would make more sense.
5 hrs
Thanks Tina.
agree Elzbieta Petlicka (X)
6 hrs
Thanks Elzbieta.
agree Yvonne Gallagher
23 hrs
Thanks gallagy2.
agree Phong Le
2 days 12 hrs
Thanks Phong Le.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
13 hrs

Do you need to practice your English?

I would characterize the posted sentence as "marginally correct" at best, because expresssed in an awkward and wordy form the same question that is stated so much more economically in my alternative phrasing.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Sheila Wilson : I think it depends on context. Sometimes, this would indeed be neater, but would be misleading if the question was only relevant to those with a good level.
15 hrs
I would still contend that the posted question is clumsy and redundant, and that my alternative would likely be appliable in most contexts.
Something went wrong...
+2
17 hrs

Do you already speak/know English, but need to practice?

I think using the word "already" would make the question sound more natural.

If I ask this question, I already know the person I am directing it to does speak at least some English (otherwise he would not be able to understand the question).

The question implies that he does speak English but might not have a strong command of the language due to lack of practice.

I could see this sentence being used in marketing materials for a language school.

You are acknowledging that the person does have the ability to speak English, but it is like you are asking him, "Don't you want to be even better? If so, you need to practice speaking. Come take lessons with us!"

I agree with DLyons on the others points.
Peer comment(s):
agree Yvonne Gallagher : yes, I think your points about "already" are correct//I'd also be inclined to add "some" before English: know some English/speak some English
7 hrs
Thank you for your comment. I agree with your suggestion.
agree DLyons : Yes, good point.
9 hrs
Thank you.
Something went wrong...

Reference comments

1 day 10 hrs
Reference:

PractiSE for verb in Br Eng

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