Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Which one is better?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Learning English
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Tulip



Joined: 17 Apr 2003
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Fri Jun 13, 2003 7:20 am    Post subject: Which one is better? Reply with quote

Hello, friends,
I have some problems with "not only... but also."

We feel thirsty by noon.

We feel hungry by noon.

Version A: We not only feel thirsty but also hungry by noon.
Version B: We feel not only thirsty but also hungry by noon.
Version C: Not only do we feel thirsty but also hungry by noon.

I'm sure which version(s) is correct?

Can you give me a hand? Thanks in advance!!

Peace

Tulip Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
dduck



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 109
Location: Scotland/Mexico

PostPosted: Fri Jun 13, 2003 10:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't like the "by noon" tag - there's no point. If you want to talk about the future use something like

We will be hungry and thirsty...

Back to your examples:

Version A: We not only feel thirsty but also hungry.
Version B: We feel not only thirsty but also hungry.
Version C: Not only do we feel thirsty but also hungry.

All are acceptable (ie. understandable), but C is the best.

Iain
_________________

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.
--Chinese Proverb
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bud



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

PostPosted: Sat Jun 14, 2003 12:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dduck, they all seem ok to me with "by noon" and with her verb tense. I take her to mean a habitual occurance, not a one-time thing, so that is the proper verb tense to use. Also, to simply delete "by noon" with no replacement strips away part of the meaning.

Tulip, all are acceptable, but I like A & C the best. B is perfectly fine, though.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
dduck



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 109
Location: Scotland/Mexico

PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 11:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bud wrote:
Dduck, they all seem ok to me with "by noon" and with her verb tense. I take her to mean a habitual occurance, not a one-time thing, so that is the proper verb tense to use. Also, to simply delete "by noon" with no replacement strips away part of the meaning.


Yes, you're quite right, bud.

Iain
_________________

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.
--Chinese Proverb
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Learning English All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
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


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group