Recent Posts

1

Language Questions / Re: shape vs. a shape

« Last post by azz on Today at 09:57:08 pm »

Thank you so much Duncan and Darryl.


How about these?

a. They are in too bad shape to be able to do it.
b. They are in too bad a shape to be able to do it.
c. They are in too bad shapes to be able to do it.

d. Their shape is such that they can't do it.
e. Their shapes are such that they can't do it.

Many thanks.

2

Language Questions / Re: shape vs. a shape

« Last post by admin on Today at 11:09:54 am »

Sorry - I mistyped to start with. I have just changed it to c and d
a and b would not be standard BrE

3

Language Questions / Re: shape vs. a shape

« Last post by Darryl on Today at 08:58:18 am »

I would go a and b.

4

Language Questions / Re: shape vs. a shape

« Last post by admin on Today at 07:49:10 am »

c and d

5

Language Questions / Re: ---- ahead

« Last post by admin on Today at 07:48:41 am »

He still ahead a few hundred dollars n hand - ahead of where he was - in reserve.

6

Language Questions / shape vs. a shape

« Last post by azz on Today at 06:13:57 am »

a. She is in too good shape to play the role of an overweight lady.
b. He is in too good shape for me to beat him in a race.

c. She is in too good a shape to play the role of an overweight lady.​
d. He is in too good a shape for me to beat him in a race.​


Which of the above are grammatically correct?
Which are natural?

Many thanks.​

7

Language Questions / ---- ahead

« Last post by t k on Today at 04:20:21 am »

He was badly advised and went to work on furs during a strike, when the factories were offering big wages. The strikers won, and Cuzak was blacklisted. As he had a few hundred dollars ahead, he decided to go to Florida and raise oranges.  (from My Antonia by Willa Cather; a larger context is here; use ctrl-f to locate the sentence)

Please explain "ahead".  It means perhaps either "extra" or "to be had in the futre"?  Thanks.  --- tk

8

Language Questions / Re: Is it?

« Last post by Darryl on January 20, 2019, 08:39:30 am »

I see the possibility that 'is it' refers to the title rather than the person.

9

Language Questions / Re: Is it?

« Last post by admin on January 19, 2019, 02:54:33 pm »

I would agree with "isn't she."

10

Café / Re: What is the Weather like Where You Are?

« Last post by Bertha on January 19, 2019, 12:10:22 pm »

Aha! Methinks you are playing your trump card there, Betha.