Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

1. There is too much *evil* or *evilness* on the news these days.
Which one above is correct?

2.A:There are many official languages in my country.
B: Amazing. *And to think * some Americans were upset when a Spanish version was added to our national anthem.
Would anyone explain it a little more and perhaps use it in another context?

3. Would anyone use *wishful thinking* in a sentece? Does that mean *wishing something that's very unlikaly to have*?


Thanks a lot for everything!

[CP]

1. "Evil" is the noun you want. It is the opposite of "good." The only way for good to prevail over evil is never to give in.

2. It's an expression that means, more or less, "Well, isn't that something, since . . . ." I took Mary to the dance, but she left with my best friend, Tom. And to think I gave Tom the money to go to the dance.

3. Wishful thinking means holding onto an opinion or idea even though it is contrary to all the facts, or not very likely to be correct. Maybe Tom took Mary outside to convince her that she should go steady with me. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[missdaredevil]

[CP]

Okay. My example: "I took Mary to the dance, but she left with my best friend, Tom. And to think I gave Tom the money to go to the dance." It means, isn't it surprising / ironic /irritating / infuriating that Tom stole my girl at the dance, when the only reason he was able to go to the dance was that I gave him the money?

Your example: In your country there are many official languages. So isn't it amazing that, in my country, people got upset just because someone made up a Spanish version of the national language? Isn't that something to wonder at?

Does that help?
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb