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mings
Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 102
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Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:50 pm Post subject: kind or kindness |
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Dear teacher.
Is there any difference in these two sentences.
1. It was kind of you to make fun of him like that.
2. It was kindness of you to make fun of him like that.
Thanks. |
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Piotr
Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Location: syracuse, ny 13210
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Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:54 pm Post subject: Kind is correct |
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Usually "kind" is an adjective, i.e. a "kind man", "kindness"is a noun, ie "kindness is a good character trait to have." |
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mings
Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 102
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Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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I know 'kind' is an adjective, 'kindness' is a noun. But the thing I want to know is that is there difference between two sentences?'
Thanks. |
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elliot
Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Sydney Australia
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Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:40 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Dear teacher.
Is there any difference in these two sentences.
1. It was kind of you to make fun of him like that.
2. It was kindness of you to make fun of him like that. |
Yes there is. But since "kind" is being nice or good, you may want the sentance to read:
1. It was not kind of you to make fun of him like that.
The difference is that you can "be kind to someone", meaning that you have been nice to them.
Where as you "show kindness" meaning you have been kind to someone.
Bah, hope this makes some sense. |
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mings
Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 102
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Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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Thank elliot for your help but I want to know in two sentences is If I don't use 'kind' but 'kindness' is there any change in meaning?
Do you understand what I express? |
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elliot
Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Sydney Australia
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Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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Not quite sure if I understand.
They mean basically the same thing but I would use only the first one. _________________ I'm no English expert, but I'll do my best to help. |
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mings
Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 102
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Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:13 am Post subject: |
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Thank elliot very much. |
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Piotr
Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Location: syracuse, ny 13210
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Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 7:24 am Post subject: kind |
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It is not kind to make fun of (ridicule) anyone. It is cruel. |
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bud
Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US
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Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:12 pm Post subject: |
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I think you could say, "It was (not) a kindness..." It is a bit awkward, though, but I think you would need the article. The two sentences would mean the same thing. |
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mings
Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 102
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Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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I know 'kindness' is an uncountable noun. Can I put an article in front of it?
Thanks all of you.
It's very kind of you to help me. |
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jules
Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 3
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Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:08 am Post subject: |
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kind is an adjective and kindness is a noun. It is possible to put an article before kindness as in 'to do someone a kindness' but it is rather antiquated to say that these days. You also hear the expression 'an act of kindness' which is more common. Regarding the 2 sentences it seems more natural to say ' it was NOT kind to make fun of him...' as it is not usually nice to make fun of someone unless that person wants someone to make fun of them. As a teacher whose mother tongue is English I would never say 'it was kindness to make fun of him' in my opinion it is incorrect English. |
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mings
Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 102
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Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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I got it. Thank you for your help. |
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