[Sashimister]

Originally Posted by pacerier

oh, i thought ダメ was taken from another language because it is written in katakana instead of hiragana. is it true that colloquial words are usually written in katakana instead of hiragana?

First, if you read somewhere that only imported words are written in katakana, then that is plain wrong. Many onomatopoeias are written in katakana. So are many other words that just look better or more natural in katakana because that's how we write them. ダメ is in that last group.

I can't say that colloquial words are usually written in katakana instead of hiragana. They tend to be, but not always. You should already be at the level to know that it's easier to let (important) words visually stand out if you write them in katakana than in hiragana. Surrounding them with hiragana is the way.

ok, i'll keep that in mind =D, regarding ばかり, instead of ボブは勉強してばかりいる, will this be acceptable: ボブは勉強するばかりだ, and also this: ボブは勉強ばかりだ

ボブは勉強するばかりだ is correct if you know what it means and so is ボブは勉強ばかりだ. These sound like the speaker is more criticizing than stating a fact. If you aren't sure you can remember that criticizing part, forget this for now. This stuff is really too early for you. You can end up saying something harsh that you didn't mean.

Also, is it true that instead of the "I'm sure [x]" meaning, はず can also mean "ought to/supposed to" ?

If it's so, will ボブは行くはずです mean both "Bob is supposed to go", and "I'm sure Bob will go"

All true. "to be expected". "to be scheduled."