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    Controlling idea

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    Controlling idea
    Message from lamar posted on 26-07-2010 at 04:47:36 (D | E | F)

    Hello everybody,
    I want to ask you about this sentence:

    'Fixing a flat tire on bicycle is easy if you follow these steps'.

    What is the controlling idea here... easy or steps?
    because I am so confused about this topic sentence.
    Can anybody help me and tell me why??
    -------------------
    Edited by willy on 26-07-2010 10:03




    Re: Controlling idea from notrepere, posted on 26-07-2010 at 06:23:12 (D | E)
    Hello!

    This should answer your question.

    Lien Internet


    Cordialement


    Re: Controlling idea from lamar, posted on 26-07-2010 at 06:35:18 (D | E)
    Thanks so much, notrepere
    That means steps is the correct answer.
    Good luck


    Re: Controlling idea from notrepere, posted on 26-07-2010 at 23:26:53 (D | E)
    Hello! Well, more precisely "follow these steps" is the controlling idea and not just "steps".

    Cordialement


    Re: Controlling idea from lamar, posted on 27-07-2010 at 23:13:28 (D | E)

    It is great to have a perfect teacher like you Mr.notrepere
    Thanks a million.
    -------------------
    Edited by willy on 30-07-2010 21:24




    Re: Controlling idea from holy_queen57, posted on 10-08-2010 at 06:06:02 (D | E)
    confused


    Re: Controlling idea from may, posted on 10-08-2010 at 20:29:18 (D | E)
    Hello holy queen57,

    Yes, confused, good point

    The question is supposed to be put as followed:

    What is the controlling idea here... easy or steps?
    because I am so confused (about) by this (topic) sentence
    ( in passive voice), or this sentence confuses me ( in active voice )

    Is this the answer (for) to your question?

    Regards,



    -------------------
    Edited by willy on 11-08-2010 11:00

    Confused about :

    Lien Internet


    This is not a passive voice, here.


    Re: Controlling idea from may, posted on 12-08-2010 at 02:49:34 (D | E)

    Hello,

    Thank you willy for the correction and Lien internet.

    Evidently, we can always say confused about, however we prefer to put either I confused about.. or I am confused about.. .

    Nevertheless, confuse is a verb , then grammatically the correct phrase is supposed to be I confused about...( past tense/active voice) or I was confused by..( past tense/passive voice).

    For instance: I was confused by your behaviour.

    It sounds much better than I was confused about your behaviour.

    Furthermore, the sentence I was confused by your behaviour was built appropriately and grammatically according to me.

    I am not wrong, am I ?

    Best regards,


    Re: Controlling idea from notrepere, posted on 12-08-2010 at 04:43:05 (D | E)
    Hello May!

    The expression "I confused about" is not correct. The only time "confused" directly follows the subject is in a sentence like:

    I confused you for someone else.

    I do, however, agree that either "confused by" or "confused about" are both OK depending on the context.

    I am confused by these directions (passive) = These directions confuse me (active)
    Je suis confondu par ces explications = Ces explications me confondent

    Modestement





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