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dido4
Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 277
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject: notes |
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1.He doesn't write neatly on his notes.
2.He doesn't write neatly at his notes.
Q:Which one is right?
If both, what's the difference?
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beancurdturtle

Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Southern California
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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A specific answer would be context driven. What's the sentence before and after.
If it stands alone, "His notes are not neat." _________________ Daniel
�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss |
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Lorikeet

Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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Or, "He doesn't write his notes neatly." |
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2006
Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 610
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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He doesn't write his notes neatly. |
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dido4
Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 277
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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It's a translation, from Chinese to English.
Q1: I was wondering: is it ok to use in / on / at in the sentence.
Q2: Is it different? It seems a slight difference from beancurdturtle�s reply.
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beancurdturtle

Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Southern California
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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The "in" or "on" is understood by the context.
"He doesn't write his notes neatly." is more specific, and a bit more gentle phrasing. The phrasing I used is more terse and masculine.
They have the same meaning, but Lorikeet's choice is nice - I like it better. _________________ Daniel
�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss |
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lotus

Joined: 25 Jan 2004 Posts: 862
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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Hi dido4,
Sometimes literal translation is not possible. In this case (in English) you either concentrate on the neatness of his handwriting or the neatness of his notes.
He doesn't write his notes neatly. (handwriting)
His notes were not neat. (notes)
If you MUST use a preposition, try these under (handwriting):
(notes)
The notes were not neatly written.
The note's handwriting was not neat.
(handwriting)
His handwriting on his notes was not neat.
The handwriting in his notes was not neat.
His handwriting of the notes was not neat.
His handwriting on the notes was not neat.
The writing on the notes was not neat.
His writing of the notes was not neat.
There are many other ways to say it.
--lotus _________________ War does not make one great --Yoda |
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