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Do you know the difference... (pg. 4)
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| Omega_Blue |
| quote: | Originally posted by Domesticated
The first three are trick questions, and can be used interchangeably, though in proper English it is more correct to use a -nt ending than an -ed ending.
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burnt vs burned is different
burnt is an adjective, burned is a past-tense verb. |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by Omega_Blue
burnt vs burned is different
burnt is an adjective, burned is a past-tense verb. |
But can't you use "burned" for both in American English?
| quote: | Originally posted by Omega_Blue
dunno if it's already been mentioned, but to put it short- saying "what if help won't come?" implies that "help" (whoever that may be) may or may not necessarily want to help in the first place, or might refuse to do so. "~~ doesn't come?" implies the same, but also that perhaps certain circumstances could prevent "help" from coming. it was used in an improper manner and i think most people would say it sounds weird to say it like that, and imo 99% of the time you should say "~doesn't come?" in whatever situation you're using.
example
i'm inviting her to my party.
what if she won't come?
i'm inviting her to my party.
what if she doesn't come?
very similar, but slightly different meanings. "what if she won't come?" = "what if she doesn't want to/refuses to come?" |
Oh, I think I got it now. Thanks :)
| quote: | Originally posted by Omega_Blue
edit: and also, replace "so good a ~~" with "such a good ~~" in most situations. "so good a ~~" makes you sound like a stuck-up prick |
I imagined so :stongue: |
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| Omega_Blue |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
Oh, I know this one! Learn vs learned are just different spellings of the same word (not unlike "colour" and "color"); whilst is just a formal version of while; and practise is a verb whereas practice is a noun. Both can be "practice" in American English, though. |
regardless of what's correct you should never use "learnt" unless you want to sound like an imbecile. use "learned", end of story. also, don't use "whilst", again for my previous sound-like-a-stuck-up-prick statement |
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| Omega_Blue |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
But can't you use "burned" for both in American English?
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you shouldn't.
i burned my steak.
i burnt my steak.
#1. "burned" = past tense verb. correct sentence.
#2. technically incorrect, though it sounds the same when vocalized. you can't "burnt" a steak. burnt is an adjective.
my steak is burnt.
my steak is burned.
#1 "burnt" describes the condition of the steak. adjective.
#2 technically incorrect. instead you should say either
my steak has been burned.
my steak has burned.
my steak burned. |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by Domesticated
As for "so good a dancer", it's only correct to use that if there is a qualifying statement following, such as "she's so good a dancer that guys ejaculate just watching her." |
Oh, that's almost exactly the sentence I was thinking of when I came up with that example (I saw "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" yesterday night, and he said something like "Daisy was so good a dancer that she... she..."... Hell I know what she did, I guess that's why I just stopped mid-sentence :D
Oh, wait I think he said "She's so good a dancer as her mother". But, this doesn't make any sense in the context. Oh, well, never mind :p
| quote: | Originally posted by Omega_Blue
regardless of what's correct you should never use "learnt" unless you want to sound like an imbecile. use "learned", end of story. also, don't use "whilst", again for my previous sound-like-a-stuck-up-prick statement |
I don't think I've ever said "whilst" in my life, that's good :p
But, regarding "learnt"/"learned", isn't it just a matter of spelling? For example, I imagine it is weird to write something like "The dog learnt a new behavior", but if you're not American, aren't you supposed to write "The dog learnt a new behaviour"? |
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| winston |
| Lira take a break from the internet. |
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| Omega_Blue |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
But, regarding "learnt"/"learned", isn't it just a matter of spelling? For example, I imagine it is weird to write something like "The dog learnt a new behavior", but if you're not American, aren't you supposed to write "The dog learnt a new behaviour"? |
no, "learnt" is improper no matter how you dice it, always use "learned". it rolls off the tongue better, and people won't think you're an inbred from arkansas. think about it
learn = present tense
will learn = future tense
learned = past tense
learnt = i'm a big ing idiot |
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| pkcRAISTLIN |
| quote: | Originally posted by Omega_Blue
also, don't use "whilst", again for my previous sound-like-a-stuck-up-prick statement |
its called sounding better. im a big fan of whilst. |
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| Omega_Blue |
| quote: | Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN
its called sounding better. im a big fan of whilst. |
do you also LARP, play magic the gathering, and have a massive knowledge of C++? :p |
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| Lira |
Thanks :)
| quote: | Originally posted by winston
Lira take a break from the internet. |
I was at the gym just a couple of hours ago, what the hell are you talking about?
But, a guy named after a volley ball told me to take a break. I guess I should get going then, huh? :stongue: |
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| winston |
i use whilst all the time...
omg i just came back from the gym too, high five! |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by winston
omg i just came back from the gym too, high five! |
*high five* :gsmile: |
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