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puzzle
Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 198
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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 2:32 am Post subject: owe/give...to |
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Dear teachers,
Here is a blank puzzling me, and can you help me out?
" Being new to Wall Street, I intended to assume that my senior colleagues knew more than I did, and so I _______ much significance to their opinions. A. owed B. gave"
Which is the right answer? Why ? What's the difference between the two ?
Thank you very much! I'm looking forward to your reply. |
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puzzle
Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 198
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Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I think "give" is the best answer, but the answer given is "owe". I'm puzzled,and don't know why. Who can help me? Thank you! |
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puzzle
Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 198
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 1:02 am Post subject: |
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I just want someone to tell me there is no such thing as " owe significance to". Can any native speaker assure me that there is no such collocation?
Thank you very much! |
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Lorikeet

Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| I would choose "give" as well, and "owe" doesn't make sense to me. You never know about another variety of English, however. |
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CP
Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:37 am Post subject: |
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Not a good sentence at all. No, "owe significance to" is not a standard expression and sounds very awkward.
I think the reason "owed" is supposedly correct is better illustrated by this alternative sentence:
"Being new to Wall Street, I assumed that my senior colleagues knew more than I did, and so I owed it to them to listen to their opinions." _________________ You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb |
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