| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
hela
Joined: 02 May 2004 Posts: 420 Location: Tunisia
|
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:55 pm Post subject: meaning of "tell" |
|
|
Dear teacher,
Is this sentence correctly written?
"That evening, he could tell Gertrud was in a temper."
Many thanks,
Hela |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
tri
Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 53
|
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:54 am Post subject: temper |
|
|
| i would say in a good/bad temper but it's ok i guess ,) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Lorikeet

Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco
|
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:38 am Post subject: Re: meaning of "tell" |
|
|
| hela wrote: |
Dear teacher,
Is this sentence correctly written?
"That evening, he could tell Gertrud was in a temper."
Many thanks,
Hela |
In my American English, I think this would be more common:
"That evening, he could tell Gertrud was in a bad mood." |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
bud
Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US
|
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I think it is correct, too. It seems more appropriate for a well-written novel, though, than everyday conversation. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
hela
Joined: 02 May 2004 Posts: 420 Location: Tunisia
|
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks everybody for your replies. I thought the same as you, bud, but just wanted to make sure.
See you,
Hela |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Lorikeet

Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco
|
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 5:14 pm Post subject: Re: meaning of "tell" |
|
|
| hela wrote: |
Dear teacher,
Is this sentence correctly written?
"That evening, he could tell Gertrud was in a temper."
Many thanks,
Hela |
Oops I just noticed the title said, "meaning of 'tell'." I don't think we mentioned that at all. It's perfect.
"That evening, I could tell John was really upset." means I was able to know that John was upset by watching his actions. He didn't have to tell me how he felt. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
asterix
Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 1654
|
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 4:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| In UK if you say someone is in a temper it is understood that they are in a bad temper (mood). |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
hela
Joined: 02 May 2004 Posts: 420 Location: Tunisia
|
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks asterix.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|