Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

luciaC · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 90

Are they correct?
1. If I had been there, I wouldn't let him do it.
2. I was boiling water and I asked my husband to watch the stove/ watch the fire.
3. There is no such person with this name here.
4. Getting the chips off your shoulders. what does it mean?

Thank you.
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Mimi

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

Hi Lucia,

1. ... I wouldn't have let him do it.

2. Correct. "Stove" would be appropriate for a kitchen, "fire" for a charcoal grill or campfire.

3. Ok, but in most circumstances "that" would be more likely than "this."

4. To have a chip on your shoulder means to have an attitude. It refers to someone who always seems to be angry and difficult, perhaps with everyone or perhaps with a particular few. It often results when someone is carrying a grudge.