Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[river1974]

Dear teachers:

I wouldn't go so far *as* to say that.

Do we need "as" in the above?

Thanks.

[helen1]

Hi River - yes you do need 'as' here

'I wouldn't go so far' - used on its own refers to distance - you need the 'as' to denote a phrasal meaning i.e. that you are not talking of literal distance

Hope this helps

[river1974]

Thank you helen. I've seen you on this forum before but then you just disappeared. Welcome back! Your explanation makes sense to me.

[helen1]

Thank you very much River - I disappeared because I was studying, but now my exams have finished I am back.

I look forward to talking again.

Helen.

[bud]

Helen, I forgot to ask - How did you make out? You'll soon receive your PhD? Have you decided yet on the direction for your career?

[helen1]

Waiting for the results Bud thanks for asking - I'll let you know when they arrive- got a long way to go to get a PhD - this was a mere BA - fingers crossed I've passed -

Not sure what I want to do - I spent so much time worrying about getting assingments in on time and revising for exams I didn't have time to think of my future -

Got several things I want to do - research what helps people to learn, teach, grow vegetables, fruit & herbs - raise water buffalo, - to name just a few.

I know you're not a teacher but what do you do?

[bud]

No doubt you passed, Helen. Congratulations and good luck! I like the water buffalo idea.

I'm retired now. I was once in the computer field, back in the days of mainframes. Later I became a social worker. Now all I do is get into trouble.

[helen1]

Oh you're so good at it Bud - getting into trouble I mean.

Sounds like you've had a really interesting life - and it's not over yet!!!! - so if someone wanted lessons in setting up a web page - would you be the guy to come to?

[bud]

I'm sure I could figure it out, but PC's came along only a little before I switched careers. The little I did with them is a completely different animal than working with today's PC's. I think BMO's mind might really be the one to pick.