Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Hiroaki Sone]

Hi, all.

Say these are said out of the blue, does [1] imply some beaches of the Coast, and [2] all?

[1] Beaches of Sunshine Coast are sandy, and they are all beautiful. You may want to spend all day just basking in the sun, reading a book.

[2] The beaches of Sunshine Coast are sandy, and they are all beautiful. You may want to spend all day just basking in the sun, reading a book.

Is [3] most likely said to someone that doesn't know there are mountains in the area? If so, do you just say mountains without the to emphasize the word "mountains" as opposed to rivers, lakes, beaches, etc.?
[3] I climbed mountains near Florence in my recent visit to Europe.

[4] I climbed the mountains near Florence in my recent visit to Europe.

Thanks very much as always.

Hiro/ Sendai, Japan
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JH7JHH/ First Class ham radio operator. N9COW in U.S.

[Kristea]

Hiro -

I say both sentences 2 and 4 with the word "the." After all, these are not random beaches and mountains - the are spicifically named with their location.

The sentences (1 and 2) read like you are refering to all beaches in the area. If you weren't, I would expect a deliberate omission of a specific beach. Consequently, these sentences wouldn't work if you were only refering to a couple beaches. (Does that make sense?)

By the way, iln sentences 3 and 4 you use the phrase "in my vacation." The phrase that native speakers use is "on my vacation."

Hope this helps - Kristi
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"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." R.L. Stevenson

[Hayde]

I agree with Kristea. I was thinking the same thing but wasn't 100% percent sure, so I didn't want to post.
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I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
Albert Einstein

[Hiroaki Sone]

Thanks, Kristea.

Yes, what you are saying perfectly makes sense. Thanks. Very informative.

By the way, I didn't use "in my vacation." I said "in my visit."

Hiro/ Sendai, Japan
_________________
JH7JHH/ First Class ham radio operator. N9COW in U.S.

[Kristea]

Opps...

You would say "on my visit."

= Kristi
_________________
"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." R.L. Stevenson

[Hiroaki Sone]

Hi, Hayde.

Much obliged for your back-up post.

Kristea, Hayde, could you think of any instance whatsoever where [3] "I climbed mountains ...." is used?

Many thanks, both.

Hiro/ Sendai, Japan
_________________
JH7JHH/ First Class ham radio operator. N9COW in U.S.

[Hayde]

No, I can't think of any uses whatsoever. I have really tried to, sorry. If I think of any tomorrow I'll let you know (it's late where I am now ).
_________________
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
Albert Einstein

[Hiroaki Sone]

Alrightie, Hayde.

Yep, you are one hour ahead, and it should be past 23:00 over yonder. I would be happy to hear of any instance that you can think of, Hayde.

Have a good one.

Hiro/ Sendai, Japan
_________________
JH7JHH/ First Class ham radio operator. N9COW in U.S.

[Kristea]

Hey -

I might say...

"I climbed mountains for many years before I broke my leg."

(This allows for the idea that mts. were climbed without referance to a particular mountain range.)

- Kristi
_________________
"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." R.L. Stevenson

[dabro]

[Hiroaki Sone]

Hi, David.

I trust you are doing fine.

I thought if the action or state is not continuous from the beginning of the visit to the end, then you use "in a visit," and that if it is , you use "on a visit." Would it be the other way around, David?

Thanks as always.

Hiro/ Sendai, Japan
_________________
JH7JHH/ First Class ham radio operator. N9COW in U.S.