|
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
www0935
Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 173
|
 Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 5:42 pm Post subject: "spreading" or "that spread" |
 |
|
The following is my question. Thanks for your help.
Six dots. Six bumps. Six bumps in different patterns, like constellations, ________ out over the page. What are they? Numbers, letters, words.
(A) spreads (B) what are spread (C) spreading (D) that spread
The answer to this question is (C), but how about (D)? Is there any difference? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Six dots. Six bumps. Six bumps in different patterns, like constellations, ________ out over the page. What are they? Numbers, letters, words.
(A) spreads (B) what are spread (C) spreading (D) that spread
The answer to this question is (C), but how about (D)? Is there any difference? |
This is a bit slippery. Off hand, I would say that (C) and (D) are actually both acceptable, but I would probably choose (C). Why? I think I would choose (C) because in my opinion saying "that spread" has a slightly greater tendency to suggest that the things in question are in motion; it tends to conjure up the image of things actually moving out in different directions. However, the context makes it reasonably clear that the dots/bumps/whatever are not moving. However, that doesn't mean it's wrong to apply "that spread" to things that are not moving. Maybe others have a different take on it, but I cannot say that "that spread" is wrong here. I can easily imagine a native speaker saying it, and I wouldn't even blink. 
It is entirely possible that whoever wrote this question took what I just described as a slight tendency and turned it into a "rule." I see this kind of thing done in every single English textbook in Taiwan, without exception.
Greg |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
