Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

YHJ · Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 24

a.That'll save trouble for me.
b.That'll save me trouble.

are those possible?
if "a" is possible, is the meaning the same as "b"?

I found "That will save pain for patients" on the dictionary.
isn't this similar to "a"?

Despite all this confusion,
I feel like
a" saying leave some trouble(like food) for me.
b"that will give me less trouble.

Thank you in advance.

myprofe · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:07 am Post subject:

Save something for me or save me something can have two completely different meanings. Normally the meaning is clear from the context.

You have a lot of work and I am free.
Save me some work or save some work for me means to give me some of the work.

But if you reverse the situation:
I have a lot of work and you are free. If you help me you will save me some work.
Thanks for you help. You saved me a lot of work.
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