Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

Chris · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 32

If there's something difficult for the French people is the distinction between to make and to do or even to have because in our language we usually use only one verb. Of course, I've already studied a list of them but it's not so obvious for us.

So, do we say to make the moral (action of building something) or to do the moral (as a general term).

Thanks

ang eri · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2003 3:57 pm Post subject:

Moral means; "Teaching or exhibiting goodness or correctness of character and behavior" by dictionary.com
I don't quite get what you are trying to say. If you could tell me your sentence, I'll probably be able to answer it better.
You can "MAKE" your moral, by doing something. You can "HAVE" a moral in yourself.

obelix · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 304

Chris, I think you can say that you make the moral choice or you do the moral thing. If you write the sentence that you want to use, I could probably tell you better.

Chris · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 32

to make the moral: the action of moralizing anybody or somebody in particular. To moralize is the verb I found in my different dictionaries. So, to make or to do? Or perhaps that's too French and I try only to translate in a wrong way????

Thank You

pugachevV · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2295

You moralize when you indulge in moral reflection or talk. Also if you point out the morality of a particular situation to someone, so perhaps moralize is the word you are looking for.

You might say, for example, "I moralized on (you moralize ON) the subject of war with pugachevV ." Meaning that you discussed the rights and wrongs of going to war etc.)

You could also say, "I pointed out the morality, or lack of it of going to war."

Regards,
Vladimir.

Coquette · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1

[quote="Chris"]to make the moral: the action of moralizing anybody or somebody in particular. To moralize is the verb I found in my different dictionaries. So, to make or to do? Or perhaps that's too French and I try only to translate in a wrong way????

You're trying to translate an expression (faire la morale) through its main verb, and I don't think a direct translation exists for it. The closest idea in English is 'to lecture someone'.