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advoca
Joined: 09 Oct 2003
Posts: 422
Location: Beijing
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 Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2005 11:18 pm Post subject: Re: altogether |
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| iitimone7 wrote: |
| correct in the meanings, asterix, but altogether is not a real word...it was made up many, many years ago by people who are lazy in their english speech |
Itimone 7,
Be assured, "altogether" is a genuine real and fully accepted word. It is found in all modern dictionaries. |
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Sina
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 117
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 12:35 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
| Quote: |
| Hey, your written English is better than a lot of native speakers. |
Is it really true?  That would be great...because I think of studying english after I have spent an entire year in America!! 
Wow, you are living in California?! It is pretty fascinating and interesting, isn't it? I really envy you... 
By the way, I've got a question again. I think I've asked it before but actually I haven't got it....  The problem concludes the usage of is to be or was to be...As a matter of fact, I don't know when I need to use is to be and when I have to use the other term.
What about the term "as a matter of fact"?
Thanks again!  |
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iitimone7
Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Posts: 400
Location: Indiana, USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:51 am Post subject: all |
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| since there are hundreds of modern dictionaries, it sure didn't take you long to check every one of them... |
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Bob S.
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Sina wrote: |
| ...California?! It is pretty fascinating and interesting, isn't it? |
So-so. Earthquakes, wild fires, race riots, horrendous traffic, rampant violence and crime (some neighborhoods are war zones you dare not enter).
But the weather is nice. 
| Quote: |
| As a matter of fact, I don't know when I need to use is to be and when I have to use the other term. |
In most cases, was meant to be will serve you since it refers to an event that has already happened (the couple got together {past tense}). Is meant to be would be used to something that is happening now or will happen in the future (the couple is getting together or they are existing now as a couple). But even then, the past tense (was meant...) can still be used. There's no hard and fast rule about it.
| Quote: |
| What about the term "as a matter of fact"? |
You used it fine in your previous post. What are you asking? As a matter of fact, it looks like you know it fine! |
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Sina
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 117
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:15 am Post subject: |
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Hey,
I haven't been quite sure about the expression "as a matter of fact"....that's why I asked..
| Quote: |
| In most cases, was meant to be will serve you since it refers to an event that has already happened (the couple got together {past tense}). Is meant to be would be used to something that is happening now or will happen in the future (the couple is getting together or they are existing now as a couple). But even then, the past tense (was meant...) can still be used. There's no hard and fast rule about it. |
Bob, does it actually have to be that way: was meant to be...because I always read it without that meant... But otherwise, you explained it well... Thanks again. I've got so many questions that I certainly irritate you......Hope not...  |
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Bob S.
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Sina wrote: |
| does it actually have to be that way: was meant to be...because I always read it without that meant... |
It doesn't always have to have "meant", though it sounds better when refering to couples that appear to be a good match. I usually hear it with "meant". For an event, you can also say "It was bound to happen."
BTW, from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:
Main Entry: 1al�to�geth�er
Pronunciation: "ol-t&-'ge-[th]&r
Function: adverb
Etymology: Middle English altogedere, from al all + togedere together
1 : WHOLLY, COMPLETELY <an altogether different problem>
2 : in all : ALL TOLD <spent a hundred dollars altogether>
3 : on the whole |
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