askeladd
Joined: 05 Jan 2010
Posts: 89
Location: Chicago area, USA
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 Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 9:21 am Post subject: Re: study an instrument |
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| gusthuber wrote: |
After school Sue studies an instrument ( like the guitar, flute etc)
After school Sue learns to play an instrument.
Are both sentences correct English? Please comment. |
With your first sentence, it sounds like Sue is familiarizing herself with the physical characteristics of a musical instrument, not that she is learning to play one.
Here, study = "examine closely."
Your second sentence is better, although using present progressive would be even better:
After school Sue is learning how to play the violin.
(We understand that learning to play an instrument is a process, and not a one-time thing.)
But for me, the most natural way to phrase it would be:
After school Sue takes violin lessons.
Hope this helps 
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