md65536 Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 A preposition establishes the relationship between the references of two other parts of the sentence - in this case the relationship between what was referred to by "one" and "a million". Clearly the relationship "in" is not the same as the relationship "out of". Although the exact distinction may be difficult to describe, there is one without doubt - a competent writer will not choose at random between them.I agree but on the other hand, common use and misuse can define a phrase, so that literally literally means figuratively, "couldn't care less" and "could care less" mean the same thing, etc. So if people have carelessly used "one in N" and "one out of N" often enough, then the "wrong meaning" can become an accepted meaning (which I find unfortunate), and even careful writers end up being able to choose according to style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 1.London University= University of London 2.The London university= the university of London Hi again, and thank you for your help. Would you possibly tell me if 1 and 2 are correct what is the difference between the following? London University The London university Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) I agree but on the other hand, common use and misuse can define a phrase, so that literally literally means figuratively, "couldn't care less" and "could care less" mean the same thing, etc. So if people have carelessly used "one in N" and "one out of N" often enough, then the "wrong meaning" can become an accepted meaning (which I find unfortunate), and even careful writers end up being able to choose according to style. SO? Edit by Hypervalent_iodine: I have added a quote corresponding to the last post in the thread that this reply was responding to. As I have since merged that thread with 3 or 4 others, it looked a little out of place and I felt adding the quote made where it was coming from a bit clearer. Edited November 20, 2013 by hypervalent_iodine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypervalent_iodine Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Hi Cyrus, Firstly, I assume that these are these homework questions? I have moved the thread to the Homework Help section. Secondly, based on the above assumption, you will need to show some effort in answering the second part. What do you notice is different about the two terms and what do you think that means? Edit: ! Moderator Note After some review, I have decided to merge all of your threads that ask for help in English into one big thread as they are starting to get a little repetitve. Cyrus, please place all of your questions about your English homework, etc., in this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 Nashville, Tennessee, has long been known as the capital of country music. Would you kindly tell me why you do not say "the country music"? In addition, why do not we use capital letters for country and music(Country Music)? Thank you so much. For example: Tehran University Tehran is a specific noun as well as University If I am right what about country music? Why do not you write Country Music? Why do not you right the country music? or the Country Music? With charming shops and restaurants, Old Town is the most picturesque section of Albuquerque. Why do you use "with"? why do not use "for" here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 Thank you so much, and my last question about this:what is the difference between the followings?Oxford UniversityThe Oxford university when do you use the followings? Could you give me an example about each one?-with a short explanation. Oxford University The Oxford university Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 GreetingsCould you tell me the meaning of this sentence?program had already gone so far over schedule that the Geneva Intercontinental Hotel had been given over to another event.In addition: why has been used the word "already"?Source:http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/25/us-iran-nuclear-talks-special-report-idUSBRE9AO00820131125 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad-Scientist Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 The sentence is in past tense, 'already' is probably to emphasise that the program had gone past the normal schedule. The hotel has been given over to host another event because of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 A black tie charity ball was finishing up and singers with an after party band at a bar above the lobby were crooning out the words to a Johnny Cash song - "I fell into a burning ring of fire" - while weary diplomats in nearby conference rooms were trying to polish off the last touches of an accord. Negotiators emerged complaining that the hotel lobby smelled like beer. Would you kindly tell me the meaning of "to polish off the last touches of an accord"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 At around 2:00 a.m., U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and counterparts from Britain,China, France, Germany and Russia were brought to a conference room to approve a final text of the agreement which would provide limited relief of sanctions on Iran in return for curbs to its nuclear program. Would you please tell me the meaning of " would provide limited relief of sanctions on Iran in return for curbs to its nuclear program"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 Source:At the last minute, with the ministers already gathered in the room, an Iranian official called seeking changes. Negotiators for the global powers refused. Finally the ministers were given the all clear. The deal, a decade in the making, would be done at last...............1. What does with mean here?why with?2.the ministers were given the permission to do that( what were given the ministers permission to do that ?????)3.I really can not understand this: Finally the ministers were given the all clear. The deal, a decade in the making, would be done at last.4. what is the difference between Ministers or negotiators here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 "To polish off" in this context means to complete the last unfinished details. (For things like a sculpture, furniture or jewelry, the act of polishing is done last). That's reinforced by the mention of "the last touches" (another reference to artwork, in this case painting). An accord is some sort of treaty or agreement. So, they were discussing and coming to agreement over the final details of a treaty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StringJunky Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 (edited) They would remove some, but not all, of the sanctions. Put another way, they are lessening the severity of the sanctions i.e. weakening them so that they are not so harsh if they will limit their nuclear programme. Edited December 4, 2013 by StringJunky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 "Limited relief" means a reduction in the severity of the sanctions, but not cessation of them. To "curb" is to stop (a curb is supposed to stop a car from rolling off the street). So Iran would stop work on its nuclear program. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 Great.thank you so much, but I can not yet understand this:the last touches of . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pears Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 It just means the last details. (The phrase is taken from painting where you put on the last touches of paint) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 you put on the last touches of paint Would you please tell me what this mean? or what does touch mean here?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypervalent_iodine Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 ! Moderator Note Cyrus, I have asked for you to not post multiple topics asking for help in English. Please confine your questions to this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 Thank you all so much and, my last question about this article is this: At the last minute, with the ministers already gathered in the room, an Iranian official called seeking changes. Negotiators for the global powers refused. Finally the ministers were given the all clear. The deal, a decade in the making, would be done at last. I really can not understand the whole of the sentence. Moreover, what is the difference between negotiators and ministers here( in this sentence)???!!! Would you possibly explain in details each part? And what is the difference between deal and accord which has been written above this sentence?????why do not we say an accord instead of the deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 you put on the last touches of paint Would you please tell me what this mean? or what does touch mean here?? The brush on the canvas. The "last touches" are usually small but important modifications, literally just touches of the brush on the canvas, rather than "bold strokes" that are the majority of the basis for the painting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fresh Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 ! Moderator Note Cyrus, I have asked for you to not post multiple topics asking for help in English. Please confine your questions to this thread. Could you PL tell me why u don't say : i have asked for you not to post ,,,,,? why u guys always say ' to not do sth ' ? thanks dear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypervalent_iodine Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Could you PL tell me why u don't say : i have asked for you not to post ,,,,,? why u guys always say ' to not do sth ' ? thanks dear. Personal preference. Either would work fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 He was not so quick a learner as his brother.He was not as much quick a learner as his brother. Would you kindly tell me if they are the same and correct? and which one do you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cuthber Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 "He was not as much quick a learner as his brother." Doesn't sound right to me. I'd say "He was not as quick a learner as his brother." or "He was not so quick a learner as his brother." and I'm not sure if either of those is more correct than the other, but I think both would be accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the Great Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 He was not so quick a learner as his brother. He was not as quick a learner as his brother. Which one do you use? or is there any difference between them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now