| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
James.E
Joined: 18 Jun 2006
Posts: 20
|
 Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:11 pm Post subject: ANY ERRORS THERE? |
 |
|
Hi,
"In 2005 the American economy continued to confound the pessimists, but an extended diet of sub-par growth now looks likely."
Some questions about the sentences:
I guess the "diet of sub-par" represents people whose living standard is under average level.
Am I right?Then what does "diet" here mean?
The last sentence is a little odd for me. The only verb is "looks" which seem not fit with the subject "growth". So there must be an omited verb.
What it should be?
And do you native speaker feel the sentence OK?
Please help me.
Thank you.
_________________
Marx says that a foreign language is a weapon in the struggle of life. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Nef
Joined: 27 Nov 2005
Posts: 187
Location: California, USA
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: ANY ERRORS THERE? |
|
|
| James.E wrote: |
Hi,
"In 2005 the American economy continued to confound the pessimists, but an extended diet of sub-par growth now looks likely."
Some questions about the sentences:
I guess the "diet of sub-par" represents people whose living standard is under average level.
Am I right?Then what does "diet" here mean?
The last sentence is a little odd for me. The only verb is "looks" which seem not fit with the subject "growth". So there must be an omited verb.
What it should be?
And do you native speaker feel the sentence OK?
|
"In 2005 the American economy continued to confound the pessimists, but an extended diet of sub-par growth now looks likely."
Some questions about the sentences:
I guess the "diet of sub-par" represents people whose living standard is under average level.
Am I right?Then what does "diet" here mean?
1. I don't think the writer is being completely literal. "...an extended diet of sub-par growth" may just mean a longer period of sub-par growth for the economy.
It may not be what people want, but it will be what they are going to have. In that sense, it can be like a "diet" in that relative restrictions are necessary.
The last sentence is a little odd for me. The only verb is "looks" which seem not fit with the subject "growth". So there must be an omited verb.
What it should be?
And do you native speaker feel the sentence OK?
2. "looks likely" = "seems likely" = "appears likely" = "seems probable" = "appears probable"
Let's try another example:
That cake looks good (to me).
That means I think the cake appears to be (or seems to be) good/tasty/delicious/appealing/what I would like to have. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
James.E
Joined: 18 Jun 2006
Posts: 20
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well,Thank you Nef for the explanation.
And I found it very interesting your definition about diet, which we all need but not surely be pleasant with.
_________________
Marx says that a foreign language is a weapon in the struggle of life. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
