Work / The level of English of Polish teachers of English. What do you think of it? [101]

In my experience, they tend to talk too much in class. Their TTT is way too high. That's fine with lower levels as they need to hear the language and get the translations but higher level students can be denied the chance to maximise their STT.

Food / Origin of the pierogi [127]

It's next to the ZUS offices, close to the Piotr&Pawel cathedral. You can't miss it :)

Food / Origin of the pierogi [127]

In Gliwice :) :) It is a great milk bar with all the standard offerings. I can't help but feel that a lot of the food there is of peasant stock. We have similar stuff in Scotland with regards to side salads and potatoes, stews too.

Food / Origin of the pierogi [127]

Have I tried ruskie, AS? I've lived here for almost 7 years and I'm a fan of pierogi so what do you think? ;) ;)

You are right to point out the variation in different places. There is a bar here which does them very well. 12 of them for 5.50PLN. 2 portions for the average person but 1 for me ;)

If it gets a little cooler then I'll be the first person to enjoy the bargain of the Sierakowidzki bar's pierogis :)

Work / The level of English of Polish teachers of English. What do you think of it? [101]

MM, it has been different in my experience. I often keep the Polish teachers straight on grammar. They often come to me with queries and sometimes I'm surprised at how unsure they are of easy things. Don't get me wrong, it's great to be sure but some things should be bread and butter, like riding a bicycle.

UK, Ireland / Warning to British people visiting Poland!! Don't get drunk and smash the place up! [453]

I think Brits just don't get how sacred Kraków is to many Poles. Drinking sessions are all well and good if you can control yourself but many young Brits binge drink and that's where the problems start.

Food / Origin of the pierogi [127]

I've said it before that Poles could broaden their selection of pierogi. I've just finished reading an article on Chinese yaiozi which I ate as gyouza in Japan. The mixed vegetable filling is delicious. Melted cheese pierogi would be fantastic :) The Czechs have their fried cheese and doughy foods (knedliczki) so I don't see why Poles can't throw in some cheese. Bacon pierogi :)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

I'm with Wrocław on this one :)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

I wouldn't ban either of them OR I'd ban neither of them :)

AS, me neither is correct

Neither I? is wrong. Me too :) :)

Maaarysia, neither would I is the correct rejoinder.

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

No, Maaarysia. I wouldn't ban them either or I would ban neither (choice of 2)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Few is mało and a few is kilka :)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

A few means kilka, thus countable :)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

I would add 'a' before few in the 2 sentences.

The meaning is the same. Also goes between the subject and the verb most often. I also like....

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Surely the disparate threads that go into making up the army is evidence in itself to say 'them' and 'they', no? They have different duties, depending on your squadron or even organisation.

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Ten policjant :) :)

The police aren't a unit? Don't they work together on common causes like the army?

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Not true, AS. The police have many units and groups too. Nonetheless, they are still seen as a collective entity.

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

For some odd reason, we think of the police as 'them'. It could refer to a broader scope of activities but that wouldn't stand up in court as a definitive difference. Some reverse logic. What is wrong with saying 'the army are conducting raids?'

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Oh, don't confuse an unravelling of logic with a declaration of position ;)

The police are is correct but I wanted you to tell me why :)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Isn't the police one group just like the army or the govt? It's 'the' police :) Are the actions of the police any less integrated or collective than that of the army or govt, Maaarysia?

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Why 'are', Maaarysia? The police is a collective unit, right? It's one group, no? It's a singular entity in the eyes of people, true?

You had already written that sentence when It'sallaboutMe asked you. The action is finished and the time is finished so it's past simple.

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Lyzko, neither of us knows or neither of us know? Why?

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

All (people) present want.... is good :) :)

English has some tough ones. For example, Maaarysia, this is to you specifically. Which of the following sentences is correct:

The police is fully capable of handling the problem

The police are fully capable of handling the problem??

Be prepared to justify your answer, please.

Oh, it's no-one or nobody :) :)

Maaarysia, 'I wrote' and not 'I have written' ;) ;)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

'Call me a lazy person' or 'call me lazy'. Lazy is an adjective, Maaarysia, so we don't count it.

Sb wants, correct
Nobody wants, correct
Does anybody want, correct
Everybody wants, correct

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Maaarysia, almost. 'If only I hadn't invested' is correct but I think you just made a typo.

Wrocław surprised me above. Often used when people are angry? Interesting! I'd never thought of it in that way. OK, grammar. The second conditional is called the present subjunctive conditional. That tells only one part of the story:

If I drank that vodka in front of me now (let's say I'm already bleezin/blootered (Doric)/drunk), I would vomit (I'd vomit). This is based on a lack of intention and is a supposition. It's a hypothetical scenario, thus there is a big if (IF). It means that I'm not going to drink the vodka but IF I did then I'd be sick.

The third conditional is known as the past subjunctive conditional. Let's take the same idea. If I had drunk that vodka 2 nights ago, I would have vomited. Here, I didn't drink the vodka in fact but if I had, I would have been sick. It's an imaginary look at what could have happened and if it had, what would have been the result.

The mixed conditionals above are well done. It's past action or inaction (3) and present result (2). Or vice versa.

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Like a mix of 2,3 or 3,2 conditionals :)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Thanks :) :)

So, mixed grammar? How about some mixed conditionals from resident Poles?

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Well, I've heard it often enough in Scotland and, I'm led to believe, it's quite popular in parts of Wales too. It works! :)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

That's ok! Life is about contact and exposure, amongst other things :)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Much money or many banknotes as banknotes are countable :) :)

Language / Mixed English Grammar Thread [233]

Shawny, as I said, it's a running commentary. Like when you start with sth and want to see it through to its logical conclusion. The present simple is often used to write film reviews and continuous threads. Resident Poles, take heed!!! By using a simple tense like the present simple, there is still some aspect of continuity but it depends on exact moments. Present simple signifies routine and habitual actions. Don't feel instantly inclined to use a continuous tense then. Creates, Shawny, neatly leads on to the next point. Created is when you state sth (sorry again) as a matter of historical fact but nothing necessarily stems from this, thus it is not the best tense to use in a narrative where a certain curve is being followed.

Strzyga, you know, it's all about set and setting as Timothy Leary said (in a different context). Amn't I? is perfectly acceptable, I'd say.