5 "Grammar Rules" (myths) your teachers HAVE BEEN LYING about!

(upbeat music)

- Hello everyone and welcome back to English with Lucy.

大家好，欢迎回到"English with Lucy"

Today I am going to talk to you about

今天我将讲解

five strict English grammar rules

五个母语人士不会遵守的

that natives don't always follow.

英语语法规则

Yes, that's right.

是的，你没听错

Your teacher may have been lying to you.

你的老师可能一直都教错了

Quickly before we get started, I would just like to thank

正式开始之前，我想感谢

the sponsor of today's video it is italki.

本次视频的赞助商italki

And if you haven't heard of italki before,

如果你之前没有听说过的话

it's a huge online database of both

italki是一个提供丰富资源的网络教学平台

native and nonnative teachers

旗下有许多母语和非母语教师

who give one-to-one video lessons 24 hours a day,

进行一对一视频教学，每周任意一天，

seven days a week.

每天任何时刻都可以

You can learn English and over 130 other languages

你可以学习英语以及另外130多种语言

from anywhere in the world, anytime as long as you have

不管你在哪个国家，不管你想什么时候学

a stable internet connection.

只要网络通畅即可

It's an incredibly affordable way of learning a language,

这绝对是一种学习语言非常优惠的方式

much cheaper than an offline tutor or a language academy.

比任何线下辅导或语言学校都要便宜

So many of my students message me

我的许多学生给我发消息

and ask me how they can meet and talk to native speakers.

问我怎样可以认识母语人士、和他们交流

Well, italki is a really good option

italki就是一个非常好的选择

because not only do they have qualified teachers,

他们不仅有专业教师

they also have community teachers who will practise

还有社区教师

conversation with you.

这些老师可以帮助你练习对话

They've given me a special offer to pass onto you.

有一个特别优惠

You can get $10 worth of italki credits

你可以得到10美元的优惠券

in your student wallet, 48 hours after making

第一次购买任意价值的课程

your first purchase of any amount,

48小时后就可以使用

or you've got to do is click on the link

只需要点击视频下面的链接

in the description box and sign up.

注册即可

Right, let's get started with the lesson.

好了，让我们正式开始课程吧

All right, let's start with the first rule of English.

英语学习的第一条规则就是

没有规则 (Their our know rules 谐音 there are no rules, 即用一个有语法错误的句子表示不用遵守语法规则)

There are no rules.

(laughs)

开个玩笑

That's just a joke.

英语有很多条语法

There are many rules,

but we don't follow all of them

但不见得我们每条都会遵循

and that is what this video is about.

今天的视频就是要讲这些例外

I just thought that was a lovely example

我只是刚刚突然想到了那个笑话

of how confusing language is.

可以让你感受下语言有多复杂

Let's be serious.

好了，严肃

Now, the first rule that we like to break

第一条是我们很容易违反的规则

and the rule that doesn't always apply,

而且它并不总是适用

many teachers will tell you that you should never

许多老师会告诉你

ever end a sentence with a preposition.

一个句子绝对不能以介词结尾

Well, I'm about to prove your teacher's wrong.

我要告诉你你们的老师是错的

There are quite a few situations in which you can end

其实有很多情况下你都可以

a sentence with a preposition.

把介词放在句尾

Now, if you can remove the preposition

如果你把介词从句未移走

from the end of a sentence without it changing the meaning

而不会改变句子意思的话

of the sentence, then you should do that.

你就可以这么做

But what about situations in which the meaning has changed?

如果句意被改变了呢

Oh, let's talk about phrasal verbs.

我们这里以动词短语举例

These other verbs made of a verb

动词短语是由一个动词

and at least one preposition.

和一个及以上的介词构成的

Keep up, run down, get up,

比如 keep up, run down, get up

put on, often sentences that use phrasal verbs,

put on, 很多时候使用动词短语的句子

end with a preposition.

都会以介词结尾

For example, I think you should get up.

比如 I think you should get up (up为介词)

Or I hope you can come over.

I hope you can come over (over为介词)

Both of these sentences end with a preposition

这两个句子都是以介词结尾的

and it can't be avoided.

而且介词的位置不能被改动

If we remove the preposition,

如果去掉介词

the meaning will change and we can't really

句意就会被改变，也确实不太好

rearrange it to avoid the preposition being put at the end.

来重组句子避免把介词放在句末

Sometimes it's even okay to end a sentence

有时就算句子中没有使用

with a preposition

even if you aren't using a phrasal verb,

动词短语

也可以以介词结尾

you might be able to rewrite these sentences

你也许可以重组句子

to avoid them ending with a preposition,

来避免以介词结尾

but it's not always necessary.

但其实没这个必要

You might be over complicating things.

还很可能会让句子变复杂

An example, does anyone know where he came from?

比如 does anyone know where he came from

I could rewrite the sentence to say,

这个句子可以重组为

does anyone know from where he came?

does anyone know from where he came

But it would sound so unbelievably old fashioned.

但这样就会听起来非常老套，古板

直接说 Does anyone know where he came from

Does anyone know where he came from?

Is perfectly fine.

完全没有问题

Right, rule number two, the rule I want to debunk,

好了，第二条我要“反驳”的规则是

(chackles)

you should always say someone and I,

应该说 someone and I

not someone and me.

而不是 someone and me

This one is close to my heart

这一条我深有体会

because I had it drummed into me when I was at school

因为我在上学的时候

被我的老师和母亲深深地灌输了这条规则

both by my teachers and my mother,

and my teachers and my mother were misinformed at school.

但其实她们在上学的时候就被教错了

Let's take a look at four sentences all regarding the zoo.

让我们来以四个关于动物园的句子为例

Lucy and I went to the zoo with Tom.

Lucy and I went to the zoo with Tom

Lucy and me went to the zoo with Tom.

Lucy and me went to the zoo with Tom

Tom went to the zoo with Lucy and I.

Tom went to the zoo with Lucy and I

And Tom went to the zoo with Lucy and me.

Tom went to the zoo with Lucy and me

Two of these sentences are incorrect

这里面两个句子是错的

and two of them are correct.

两个是对的

The question of whether to use I or me,

到底用I还是用me

it comes down to whether you're using the word as a subject

取决于这个词在句中

or an object in the sentence.

是主语还是宾语

Both words are pronouns,

I和me都是人称代词

but I as a subject pronoun

区别在于 I 是主格

and me is an object pronoun.

me是宾格

Native speakers, you can be forgiven

如果你是母语人士也分不清的话

for getting confused with this.

可以原谅

I never learned this at school,

毕竟我在学校从来没学过这些

so after the first two,

来看前两个句子

Lucy and I went to the zoo with Tom,

Lucy and I went to the zoo with Tom

it would be correct

这一句是对的

because I is the subject of the sentence.

因为 I 在这个句子中作主语

You can work this out by removing the extra bit,

要判断 I 是不是主语的话，可以把"Lucy and"去掉

the Lucy and bit does it work on its own?

看这个句子还能不能说得通

I went to the zoo with Tom,

这样前两个句子就变成 I went to the zoo with Tom

or me went to the zoo with Tom.

和 me went to the zoo with Tom

Well, me went, sounds very, very wrong.

那么显然 me went 就不对

So it's, I went.

所以应该是 I went

However, in the second two sentences

后面的两个例子

it is the opposite.

情况则相反

Remove Lucy and again, in the second two sentences,

还是把 "Lucy and" 去掉， 句子就变成了

Tom went to the zoo with I, sounds weird.

Tom went to the zoo with I 怪怪的

So it's Tom went to the zoo with me.

应该是 Tom went to the zoo with me

Tom went to the zoo with Lucy and me.

完整地说就是 Tom went to the zoo with Lucy and me

In this case me is the object of the sentence.

在这句里 me 是宾语

许多母语人士也会被教导

So many native speakers

will always be taught to say someone and I,

要说 someone and I

when actually in many cases, someone

但其实很多情况下

and me is the correct version.

someone and me 才是对的

Number three, a big rule that came up recently after

第三条 我最近有一次在标题中用到这个语法

I used one of these in a title of my videos,

突然意识到这也是个很多人分不清的问题

it is that you should never split an infinitive.

那就是 不能把动词不定式分开

Many teachers will tell you this

许多老师这么教你

because they are simplifying things a little bit,

其实是他们把这个语法简化了

but in reality we do split infinitives.

我们母语人士会把动词不定式分开

So infinitives are the two word forms of verbs like to run,

动词不定式由两个词组成 (to 加 动词)

比如 to run, to laugh, to play

to laugh, to play.

When you split an infinitive,

把动词不定式拆分开来

you put something normally an adverb

就是在这两个词之间加进一个词

between those two words,

通常是副词

for example, to quickly run, to carefully read,

比如 to quickly run, to carefully read

to playfully dance.

to playfully dance

So often it's a case of it just sounding better

通常这么做是为了听起来更顺

when we split an infinitive,

如果把动词不定式分开

it sounds more natural.

听起来就会更自然

For example, I'm going to quickly run to the shop.

比如 I'm going to quickly run to the shop

This sounds better than

听起来就比

I'm going to run to the shop quickly.

I'm going to run to the shop quickly 更自然

But in some more complex cases,

有些更复杂的情况下

moving the adverb can actually change the meaning

改变副词的位置还会

of the sentence.

改变句意

Take a look at this sentence.

比如说这个句子

I'm going to really kiss him when I see him.

I'm going to really kiss him when I see him

If I say I'm going to really kiss someone,

really kiss 是指

it means that it's going to be quite a kiss, a big kiss,

吻得非常热烈

一个饱含深情的吻

a very strong one.

If I say, I am really going to kiss him when I see him,

如果换成 I am really going to kiss him when I see him

rather than talking about the strength of the kiss,

就不是在强调我的深情程度

I'm almost conveying a sense of determination.

而是更强调我吻他的决心

It's only a slight difference,

虽然是微妙的差别

but it does change the meaning.

但句子意思确实被改变了

Now, some sentences actually require a split infinitive,

而有些句子则必须将不定式拆开才合理

which makes it all the more bananas

所以老师如果说绝对不能把动词不定式拆开

that teachers tell you to never split an infinitive.

肯定是不对的

Let's go straight in with an example.

我们直接来举例

He expects the staff numbers to more than triple

He expects the staff numbers to more than triple

over the next five years.

over the next five years

You can't move more than in this sentence.

这句里不能把"more than"去掉

You can't put it in another place

也不能移到别的地方

whilst retaining the meaning.

否则句意就会改变

This sentence requires a split infinitive.

这个句子必须把不定式拆开才行

Number four is,

第四条

we should always use there are instead of there is

复数前要用 there are

而不是 there is

before a plural.

So many teachers will tell you always use

许多老师都说

there is then a singular and there are then a plural,

单数前用 there is, 复数前用 there are

this doesn't always apply.

其实并不总是这样

People get very upset about it.

大家会感到非常困惑

In the comment section, if I use there is

在评论区

如果我在复数前用了 there is

before what they consider to be a plural,

I'm going to explain that use

我会进行解释

but I would admit many native speakers, myself included,

但我得承认，许多母语者，包括我自己

do make mistakes and get confused

there is 和 there are 的用法

with there is and there are,

也会有弄错和分不清的时候

because we speak so quickly that we don't give ourselves

因为我们说话时说得非常快

time to plan whether there is is needed

不会花时间去想

用 there is 还是 there are

or there are is needed.

So just to cover the basics we use there is, and there are,

我先讲解一下基础知识

there is 和 there are 是用来表示

when we first refer to the presence or existence

of someone or something.

人或物的存在的

There is and also there's are both singular forms.

there is (也可写作 there's) 是单数形式

There's is the reduction of there is.

there's 是 there is 的缩略形式

There is, there's.

(there is 和 there's 的不同读法)

There's is most commonly used in informal speaking.

there's 主要用在口语当中

So instead of saying it is a fly on my head, (laughs)

如果要说“我的头上有只苍蝇“

应该是 there is/there's a fly on my head, 而不是 it is a fly on my head

we would say there's or there is a fly on my head.

There are is the plural form of there is and there's.

there are 是 there is/there's 的复数形式

An example, there are two spots on my face.

举个例子 there are two spots on my face (我脸上有两个粉刺)

Now in speaking and in some informal writing,

在口语或非正式的写作中

we sometimes use there's when it refers

有时会用 there is 来指

to more than one thing.

多个物体

Bear in mind that this use can be considered

需要注意的是在考试中

incorrect in examinations.

这样用会被判为错误

It's not uncommon to hear native speakers make this mistake.

但母语人士很多时候会用错

I might say there's many cakes instead of,

我可能会说 there's many cakes

而不是 there are many cakes

there are many cakes because I'm just so used to saying

因为平常 there's 用得太多就顺口说出来了

there's all the time.

There's one apple, there's two apples.

There's one apple, there's two apples

It feels almost natural to me.

这两句话我觉得非常顺口

Now this is considered to be incorrect.

但这么说是不对的

However, there are actually some situations in which

但是，有些情况下

it is considered to be it correct to use there's

用 there is 指代复数

then a plural.

是对的

Let's have a look at collecting phrases.

比如说用到 collecting phrases 的时候

One in particular is a number of, a number of,

例如 a number of

would I say there is a number of cakes for sale.

我应该说 there is a number of cakes for sale 呢

There's a number of cakes for sale,

还是 There's a number of cakes for sale 呢

or there are a number of cakes for sale.

还是 there are a number of cakes for sale 呢

Well it's actually really difficult to work out.

有点难辨别

在这种情况下

In a construction like this

the verb is being pulled to there, number, and cakes

考虑用 is 还是 are 会受到 "there" "number" "cakes"

all at once.

所有这些词的干扰

You can work out whether you should use

这种时候

there is or there are in this situation

区分方法就是

判断需要强调的部分是什么

by focusing on emphasis.

Use is if you want to emphasise the group as a whole,

如果你想强调这些蛋糕是一个整体就用 there is

there is a number of, the group cakes

也就是 there is a number of cakes

or use are if you want to emphasise the individual

如果想强调是一个个蛋糕

members of that group,

组成一堆蛋糕

each individual cake,

就用 there are

there are a number of individual cakes.

there are a number of individual cakes

This works with a number of, (laughs)

这种用法适用于 a number of (许多) collecting phrases

collecting phrases like a variety of,

比如 a variety of

there is a variety of drinks at the bar（强调所有饮料作为一个整体）

there is a variety of drinks at the bar.

Or there are a variety of drinks at the bar.

there are a variety of drinks at the bar （强调饮料种类繁多）

Both work depending on what you want to emphasise.

这两种说法都行，取决于你想强调的是什么

Now we do use there are when talking about a lot of,

另外，a lot of 前要用 there are

and this is a mistake that a lot of native speakers make,

这个很多母语人士会用错

包括我自己

myself included.

Again, we shouldn't say there's a lot of people

不能说 there's a lot of people in the room

in the room.

应该说

We should say there are a lot of people in the room.

there are a lot of people in the room

But you will hear this mistake made.

但你会听到母语人士说成 there's a lot of people

Now with the phrase, there is two dogs, ever be correct.

那么 “there is two dogs” 这个说法绝对是错的吗

不一定 如果 “two dogs” 是在一串例子当中的话，情况就不一样

Well, sort of if two dogs were included as part of a list,

sometimes there are just sounds wrong.

有时用 there are 就会听起来非常奇怪

I wouldn't say there are a cat,

比如 there are a cat ..

two dogs and a cow on the farm.

.. two dogs and a cow on the farm 就不对

I would say there is a cat,

应该是 there is a cat ..

two dogs and a cow on the farm.

.. two dogs and a cow on the farm

So that is a clear example of there is

所以大家可以看出 举一串例子时

used before a singular

虽然单数 (a cat) 前用的是 there is

but a singular formed as part of a list.

但是是因为第一个例子是单数

Some grammar lovers (laughs)

一些语法爱好者

will still insist that this is incorrect

还是会坚持这样用是错的

but I'm not with them on this one.

但我不会再跟他们争辩下去

It just sounds wrong.

就是这样没什么好说的

If you are ever in doubt, you can actually

如果你还是很困惑的话

rewrite the sentence to avoid using there is

可以重新组织句子避免使用

and there are.

there is 或 there are

And the last rule number five,

最后一条 第五条

you should always say if I were

应该用 if I were

rather than if I was.

而不是 if I was

Now, you will hear a lot of people making a mistake

你会听到很多人

把 if I were 和 if I was 用错

with if I were and if I was,

they will say if I was when they are meant to say if I were,

应该说 if I were 的时候说成 if I was

however again, I was brought up to always say if I were,

我从小被教应该用 if I were

when actually in some situations

但其实有些时候

if I was is correct and if I were is incorrect.

if I were 是错的, if I was 才是对的，

Shocker!

Now this grammar rule might seem a little bit complicated

天了噜

乍一听可能会觉得有些复杂

at first, but actually it's not.

但其实不至于

There is a simple trick that you can use to remember

有个简单的方法可以帮你记住这条语法

and you will always get it right.

永远不会弄错

You use the phrase, if I were

if I were

when using the subjunctive mood,

用在虚拟语气当中

this is used to talk about hypothetical situations.

也就是谈论设想的状况时

For example, if I were richer, I would buy a Tesla.

比如 我要是有更多的钱，我就会买台特斯拉

True story, I would.

我真是这么想的

I really would like an electric car,

我真的想买辆电动汽车

but I need one that will go over farmland.

但是它得在农场也跑得起来

Anyway, if I were richer, I would buy a Tesla.

总之 if I were richer, I would buy a Tesla

I am imagining a situation in which I am richer,

这个句子是我在设想

a hypothetical situation and I'm imagining

如果我变得更有钱会怎么样

what I would do in that situation,

我会做些什么

what that would mean for that version of myself.

那种设想对于我意味着什么

Now we use the phrase, if I was,

if I was 是用来指

if we are referring to something that did actually happen,

过去确切发生过的事

so we have, if I were hypothetical,

概括来说就是 if I were 是指虚拟情况

if I was actually happened reality,

if I was 则是指现实情况

so we often use it for reminiscing.

而且通常是已经发生的事

An example, if I was late for registration

比如 if I was late for registration （我上学的时候）

when I was at school,

when I was at school (如果我注册迟到了)

it was because my bus didn't arrive.

it was because my bus didn't arrive (那就是因为公交车没按时来)

This isn't the most commonly used phrase on earth,

If I was 并不常用

but it's important to know that sometimes

但大家有必要知道

if I was is correct.

if I was 并不总是错的

Right, that's it for today's lesson.

好了，以上就是今天的课程

I hope you enjoyed it.

I hope you learned something.

希望你们喜欢

希望你们有所收获

I really enjoyed doing the research for this video.

我特别想通过这次视频调查一下

It was a quite surprising to see

有多少人像我一样

how much misinformation was spread around my primary,

读小学，中学，大学的时候

被灌输了错误的知识

middle and upper schools.

(laughs)

Don't forget to check out italki you can get $10 worth

不要忘了试试 italki

of italki credits for free in your student wallet

你们可以得到 $10 的优惠券

48 hours after making your first purchase of any amount,

第一次购买任意价值课程48小时后即可使用

or you've got to do is click on the link

你也可以直接点击

in the description box to sign up.

视频下方的链接注册

Don't forget to connect with me on all of my social media.

不要忘了和我在社交媒体上联络

I've got my Facebook,

我有脸书账号

my Instagram, my Twitter,

Ins 账号，还有 Twitter

and my personal channel, Lucy Bella Earl.

以及关于我个人生活的油管频道 Lucy Bella Earl

I will see you soon for another lesson.

我们下节课再见

(smacks)

(upbeat music)