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good with directions

 
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muni



Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 176

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2003 9:48 am    Post subject: good with directions Reply with quote

dear all
If I say that
"I am not good with directions"
then would it be a correct english
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bud



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

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2003 11:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Absolutely!
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advoca



Joined: 09 Oct 2003
Posts: 422
Location: Beijing

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2003 4:07 pm    Post subject: Directions Reply with quote

Hi Muni


If I say that "I am not good with directions" is this good English.

Yes, it is. However in what sense do you mean 'directions?'

Do you mean instructions that tell you what to do, how to do something, or how to get somewhere. An example of this might be driections on how to cook noodles or a cake, or how to get to a particular place. Do you mean that you do not find it easy to understand or follow such directions?

Do you mean directions in the sense of the general line that someone or something is moving or pointing in. (I am worried about the direction my studies are going. We stopped the car because we found out that Beijing was ten miles in the opposite direction.)

Also, the direction of a film, play, or television programme is the work that the director does while it is being made.

Bud is quite right. of course. What you said is good English, but perhaps you should make it clearer in what sense you mean directions.
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muni



Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 176

PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2003 5:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

when i say i am not good with directions i meen instructions to get somewhere
but if i wanted to use this sentences for the other senses u mentioned would it be correct
and is there any other better way of saying the same thing
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obelix



Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Posts: 304

PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2003 8:00 am    Post subject: You Reply with quote

Please do not write "u" when you mean you It will make people think you are lazy or uneducated and it will cost you marks in any English test.
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bud



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

PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2003 10:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For the situation you have in mind, your example is what is usually said. Another variation is "I'm bad with directions."

For the movie or play situation, you might say "I'm not good (I'm bad) at taking direction."

For the "cookbook" situation, "I'm not good (I'm bad) at following directions."

Hope that helps.
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muni



Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 176

PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thank you so much
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bud



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

PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 11:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're welcome!
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