She recommended me that I take a few days off from work.
She recommended THAT I TAKE a few days off from work. --> Common expressions followed by the subjunctive: recommend that | demand that | request that
I tried to explain him the problem, but he had difficulty understanding me.
I tried to explain the problem TO HIM, but he had difficulty understanding me. --> Also: recommend, describe
I don’t know why you didn’t go. If I were you, I should have gone.
I don’t know why you didn’t go. If I were you, I WOULD/ MIGHT/ COULD have gone. --> hypothetical past expressing regret = should
Kevin says he stopped to travel internationally because of his family.
Kevin says he stopped TRAVELING internationally because of his family.
We regret informing you that your application has been denied.
We regret TO INFORM you that your application has been denied. --> exception to express bad news
The interview was broadcasted live over the internet.
The interview was broadcast live over the internet. --> irregular; the same 3 forms as let, bet, set, put, cut, and shut.
I’m so glad that he spoke in my behalf because I felt awful that I couldn’t make it to the event.
I’m so glad that he spoke ON my behalf because I felt awful that I couldn’t make it to the event.
At first I studied engineering in college, but I ended getting a marketing degree.
At first I studied engineering in college, but I ended UP getting a marketing degree. --> something that eventually happened after other things happened first
When the check came, I tried to pay but John told me to put away my wallet and insisted that he paid for dinner.
When the check came, I tried to pay but John told me to put away my wallet and insisted that HE PAY for dinner.
If you would’ve told me, I would have given you my honest advice.
If you HAD told me, I would have given you my honest advice. --> 3rd conditional: past perfect + would/could/might have + past participle
They had managed a few crisises in the past, so they were able to handle this situation fairly well.
They had managed a few CRISES in the past, so they were able to handle this situation fairly well. --> crisis - crises | diagnosis – diagnoses
She’s trying to concentrate herself on finishing her degree.
She’s trying to concentrate ON finishing her degree. --> We don’t use reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, etc.) after the verb concentrate.
I’m a little afraid to do this by my own.
I’m a little afraid to do this ON MY OWN. --> BY MYSELF also possible :)
Never before I had seen something quite like that.
Never before HAD I seen something quite like that. --> Inversion after phrases never, hardly, seldom
