Think Draw Forums
Forums - General Discussion - HELP WITH ENGLISH

AuthorComment
181. 6 Dec 2010 11:52

polenta

A delight to have all these friends.
I'll stay with EXPRESS or PUT FORWARD because there is nothing kind of hidden behind. The word EXPOSE didn't sound to me in this context but the person wrote it and I couldn't correct it if it was right.
Clorophilla is right. Both in Italian and Spanish we can use EXPONER and ESPORRE can be used as saying EXPRESS without any negative or hidden connotation.
Thanks for all your answers. They helped me a lot.

182. 6 Dec 2010 11:56

five

One more thing, as between expressed and put forward,

"put forward" suggests an effort to suggest, to persuade. It's not quite neutral in tone.

"expressed" is "to state", and the most neutral in tone. He stated his ideas in the speech. He expressed his ideas in the speech.

183. 6 Dec 2010 11:59

polenta

Let it be EXPRESS then. The person meant something completely neutral. Thanks five.

184. 6 Dec 2010 12:00

five

Though, we tend to state facts and express ideas ... so expressed is the verb generally used with ideas. One doesn't express facts. One can express an opinion.

Fun, isn't it?

185. 20 Jan 2011 15:20

Normal

Some funny problems with English illustrated in an email I recently received:

We must polish the Polish furniture.
He could lead if he would "get the lead out." (an Americanism, I think)
The farm was used to produce produce.
The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
The soldier decided to desert in the desert.

This was a good time to present the present.
A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum. (Bass are fish.)
When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
I did not object to the object.
The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

The bandage was wound around the wound.
There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
(English usage, we never say "row" for argument.)
They were too close to the door to close it.
The buck does funny things when does are present.
To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
After a number of injections, my jaw got number.
Upon seeing the tear in my slothes, I shed a tear.
I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
The singer had to record the new record.

Will you be able to live throught the live concert?

My addition:
The suspect is our criminal, I suspect.

These are just some that LOOK the same. There are a host of others that SOUND the same and have different spellings. It's a wonder we ever become literate, even when English is our mother tongue!

186. 9 Feb 2011 23:35

clorophilla

I'd like to enlarge my array of words for express how I appreciate the pics. I find myself using always the same abjectives: great, beautiful, amazing, i like it etc etc...

In fact, some pics moves me deeply but I have no word enough effective to explain what I feel.

in example: I feel an echo in me, I can't help me to see the pic and the playback again and again: that pics "talks" to me but something is eluding my counsciousness. Mesmerizing? capturing? fascinating? charming? I need more words!
what about evocative? and Moody, is just for "bad" emotions or not?

Again: when I see some pics I feel an intense emotion. I feel myself struggling for something I don't know... I would like to do something for rescue... or complete... or join... or share... I'm speechless anyway.
In those case I say Moving, Touching, Intense. It's a poor reply to the pic.
What about Pregnant?
Please, more abjectives!

Again, something I have mixed feeling with a pic. I like the pic very much, but it touches some inner hearthstring may be aching, or frightening. I would say to the artist I love and appreciate his/her pic and that I appreciate the mixed feelings it gives me too; but I don't want to be equivocated, bc "mixed feeling" seems to me in some way a criticism.
Something I say eerie or perturbing but I don't know if it's the right word.
Please, please, I need more abjectives!

187. 10 Feb 2011 08:30

Dragon

clorophilla, for a picture that makes me 'feel an echo' within me I might say that it really resonates with me, though mesmerizing and evocative are excellent for this too. Typically the word 'Moody' refers to someone who is sulking about something, I would say it wouldn't be the term you'd be looking for.

For the mixed emotions type I might say it was achingly beautiful, or so lovely it brought a tear to my eye or something like that.

188. 10 Feb 2011 17:28

Normal

I would avoid pregnant, though "pregnant with meaning" might work.
Instead of mixed feelings, probably it's better to mention both feelings, so as to avoid a wrong interpretation.

Mostly, we DO know what you mean, but bravo for working towards clarity in a language not your own!