Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

He hovered for a moment, *beating* his big, black wings.

Would *batting* mean the same thing there?

Thanks

[Bob S.]

[missdaredevil]

[quote="Bob STo bat is used for a single action or for a repeated action for a very short time. You can bat at a fly to make it go away[/quote]

bat *at* a fly?

Why *at*?

Thanks

[iitimone7]

msdaredevil - if there is a fly (a small, pesky insect) that is flying (verb) around your head and you want it to go away, it would not be corerect to say "I batted with the fly and he went away" - that would mean that you were playing baseball (or another action) with the fly who is beside you.

it would also be awkward to say "I bat on the fly and he went away". that would mean that you were standing on top of the fly and he left because you were standing on top of him.

another awkward example would be "i batted in the fly and he went away". that sentence would imply that you are inside of the fly and he went away. if you were inside of the fly, that would mean that you went with him.

the best choice would be to say "i batted at the fly and he went away."

does that make more sense? iitimone7

[missdaredevil]

Thanks, itimore-for the couldn't-be-more-cleared explanation.