|
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 |
goophy
Joined: 13 Apr 2012
Posts: 9
|
 Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 10:59 pm Post subject: how to use on / over after certain words? |
 |
|
Hi,
Can anyone give a guideline about the usage of over / on / in when applying to the topic discussed?
I want to know the usage of over / on particularly when they follow words like 'issue', 'warning', 'talk', 'decision', etc. Is there any nuance between 'the issue on something' and 'the issue over something'?
The following sentences are derived from the internet:
| Quote: |
| But the issue over Japan's wartime abuse of women, some as young as 14, has threatened to jeopardise recent progress, in spite of the fact that protests from neighbours have been relatively restrained. |
from here: http://big5.ftchinese.com/story/001010341/en/?print=y#utm_campaign=1b120110&utm_source=marketing&utm_medium=campaign
| Quote: |
| Matthew Nimetz was invited to Athens in January 2007, where he commented that the efforts to mediate in the issue over the name were "affected and not in a positive way". |
from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macedonia_naming_dispute
| Quote: |
| An introduction to the issue on Advocacy and Policy Change by HFRP's |
from here:http://www.hfrp.org/evaluation/the-evaluation-exchange/issue-archive/advocacy-and-policy-change
| Quote: |
| South Korea, the host of the upcoming G20 meeting in November, is reluctant to highlight the issue on the gathering�s agenda, ... |
from here: http://big5.ftchinese.com/story/001034837/en/?print=y#utm_campaign=1b120110&utm_source=marketing&utm_medium=campaign
| Quote: |
| �The issue over remuneration is not about tinkering . . . but a bigger question about whether the company needs a new chief executive,� says a top 10 shareholder. |
from here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bbf60c7e-4b58-11e1-88a3-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1wKgATEU8
Thanks in advance! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
SimpleEnglishBlogger
Joined: 01 Feb 2011
Posts: 50
Location: Japan
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi goophy,
Unfortunately, I don't think there is any real rule that will help you here. I don't see any clear distinction and feel that they could be used interchangeably.
But actually, I also get the feeling that more often than not, we don't add anything after the word "issue" because we usually use the word "issue" to refer to the problem in the first place. Or, I would be inclined to say, "issue of s/t".
For example,
"But the issue over Japan's wartime abuse of women, some as young as 14, has threatened to jeopardise recent progress" could be reworded as, "but the issue of Japan's wartime abuse of women, some as young as 14, has threatened to jeopardise recent progress."
Japan's wartime abuse of women IS the issue! So to say there is an issue 'over' the abuse doesn't really sound right to me in the first place. They probably want to say "argument", "row", "disagreement", "debate", etc., instead of the word "issue".
For example, "Japan's wartime abuse of women is an issue that has threatened to jeopardize recent progress." Or maybe, "the issue of Japan's wartime abuse threatens to jeopardize progress."
Of course, language changes so perhaps we will see more uses of "issue on/over" in the future. Still, I don't feel like the word "issue" is necessary here and it could be left out altogether unless you're specifically pointing out that X is an issue.
_________________
Visit www.sloweasyenglish.com for material to help you with your listening skills!
All of the videos are in SLOW and EASY ENGLISH so they are easy to understand and will help you improve your listening until you can watch regular movies and TV! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
goophy
Joined: 13 Apr 2012
Posts: 9
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi SimpleEnglishBlogger,
Thank you for your help. That usage of 'issue' bothered me for a while, and I asked around and got almost unanimous viewpoints. Now, I am sure that issue followed by 'over' sounds unnatural and non-native. Thanks once again for your help!
goophy |
|
| 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
