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Old 11-26-2002, 03:35 AM   #1 (permalink)
Erin
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One of the most important rules on the TOEFL is what I call the Banana Rule.

Here's why I call it the Banana Rule. Look at this sentence and tell me whether it's correct:

*I like banana.

Some people know this sentence is wrong, but many people think it's correct.

This sentence is NOT correct because we have a rule in English that says:

A singular count noun cannot stand alone.

or, as I like to say for the TOEFL:

If you see a Singular Count Noun with no determiner, it is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

There are many different ways to correct this sentence, including:
  • I like bananas.
  • I like the banana.
  • I like no banana.
Of course, English wouldn't English if there weren't many important exceptions, so be sure to see the list of exceptions that I've put together.
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Old 01-29-2006, 05:15 PM   #2 (permalink)
HiLine
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Banana rule? What a name!
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Old 04-27-2007, 05:15 AM   #3 (permalink)
vncd
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where is the list of exceptions? page error !!!
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Old 04-27-2007, 06:18 AM   #4 (permalink)
saiabhay
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where is the list
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