Comments on: Used Transitively, “Avail” Is a Reflexive Verb http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:29:22 +0000 hourly 1 By: Heart Bracelet : http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/comment-page-1/#comment-328961 Heart Bracelet : Sun, 31 Oct 2010 07:02:46 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/#comment-328961 it is quite sad that most train stations these days are horrendously overloaded .. it is quite sad that most train stations these days are horrendously overloaded ..

]]> By: Maeve http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/comment-page-1/#comment-25897 Maeve Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:20:50 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/#comment-25897 Farhat, I just noticed your question of April 10. The helping verb could is used with the infinitive form (without the "to") I could go with you. I could not go with you. They could remember their wives' birthdays. Farhat,
I just noticed your question of April 10.

The helping verb could is used with the infinitive form (without the “to”)
I could go with you.
I could not go with you.
They could remember their wives’ birthdays.

]]> By: Gopakumar http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/comment-page-1/#comment-20728 Gopakumar Fri, 30 May 2008 09:00:45 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/#comment-20728 kindly be availed two days casual leave kindly be availed two days casual leave

]]> By: Farhat Ayub http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/comment-page-1/#comment-16234 Farhat Ayub Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:27:16 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/#comment-16234 What from of verb will be use with Could not. What from of verb will be use with Could not.

]]> By: Chris O'Brien http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/comment-page-1/#comment-15673 Chris O'Brien Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:09:32 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/used-transitively-avail-is-a-reflexive-verb/#comment-15673 I wanted to make mention of another common use of "avail" in an idiom: "to no avail," as in Gavin tried to persuade all the peeping baby chicks to convene inside his rucksack, but to no avail. I thoroughly agree with your notes about the "old forms." They are the proper forms; the others are simply linguistic bad habits. There are of course many other examples. However, many irregularities about English phrases are the result of similar habitual bad usage. Incidentally, the phrase "long time no see" is a literal translation of the Chinese language greeting, and "passionfruit" is a rare back-transliteration of the Chinese name of the fruit, which sounds like "bye-shiang-gwoh." "Chow Mein" is another example; it means simply "fried noodles." I have more if you're interested; I've lived in Taiwan for eleven years! Best wishes. I wanted to make mention of another common use of “avail” in an idiom: “to no avail,” as in
Gavin tried to persuade all the peeping baby chicks to convene inside his rucksack, but to no avail.
I thoroughly agree with your notes about the “old forms.” They are the proper forms; the others are simply linguistic bad habits. There are of course many other examples. However, many irregularities about English phrases are the result of similar habitual bad usage.
Incidentally, the phrase “long time no see” is a literal translation of the Chinese language greeting, and “passionfruit” is a rare back-transliteration of the Chinese name of the fruit, which sounds like “bye-shiang-gwoh.” “Chow Mein” is another example; it means simply “fried noodles.” I have more if you’re interested; I’ve lived in Taiwan for eleven years!
Best wishes.

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