About the singular and plural forms of verbs. Which form should we use for "the group of people", "a groupd of people", "the increasing number of people" and "an increasing number of people"? An increasing number of working people try to return campus for further education. The increasing number of people has imposed a heavy burden on the medical system of this city. The high educated groud of people is the main force of the development of technology and society. Are that correct? Thanks for helps.

Confusion about definitions of elder people, older people and elderly people. Do both of elder people and older people mean those people who are just older than others, but not the elderly.

Questions of grammar about "no matter" and "whether". Answers would be appreciated. Could they be used in following ways: 1) No matter in the past or in the contemporary society, .......... 2)Whether in the past or in the contemporary society,... 3)No matter you or me,... 4)whether you or me,... Thanks for helps.

Is there a word "self-retrain"?

I know "self-retraint" is a noun. So could I use "self-retrain" as a verb?

 

Thanks for helps.

Confusion about the following phrase. Many researchers now think that these were pictures the wise men engraved of themselves. About the "engrave of " , is it a set phrase? Thanks for responses.

A little confusion about the understanding of the following sentence. Differences between the "merely skilled" and the "highly competent" can be seen in fields as disparate as sushi making and information design. My understanding is : Sushi making is merely skilled and information design is highly competent. They are extremely disparate from each other. Therefore, These two definitions of work ability depend on what fields that we work on. Is it right? Thanks for responses.

A little confusion about these sentences. 1.Banks have different policies and the services that they will offer you will depend on your individual circumstances and on the discretion of the bank manager involved. Q: Which word is the last word "involved" used to describe? "Discretion" or "Manager"? 2.Adequate heath-care resources are provided out of the public purse. Q: Why did the writer use "provided out of "? Why not use "provided by "? Both of these two sentences come from the Cambridge Ielts. Thanks for responses.

three questions about English. 1>the first: there is a sentence "I am writing this letter to apologise to you for that I am not able to pick you up" Is this sentence wrong? 2>another question: develop a sense of responsibilty on student? (or in student) which one is correct 3>the last one: "trap in a tight corner",does it work? or is "fall into a tight corner"

a question about adverbs could all of adverbs be used as conjunction?what are the conditions about adverbs used as conjunction?