Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[stevenukd]

Dear Teachers,

1.Direct honest communication is the only way to resolve this once and for all.
-�direct� here means �clear�, right?

2.In closing, I would not expend any further energy on this person.
-Does �in closing� here mean �in short�?

3.My girlfriend and I are very compatible in everything.
-Is this natural?

4.Be yourself! Do not imitate others/other people.
-Is this natural?

5.We fuss over this same subject all the time.
-�fuss over� here means �quarrel/row/argue�, right?

6.� Does your watch go on time?
-Does your watch run exactly?
-Are these ok?

Thanks a lot to Teachers,

Stevenukd

[bud]

1. Yes.

2. Yes. It's a way to introduce a summarization, especially in letters or speeches.

3. Well... somewhat. I think it'd be more natural without "in everything." It'd also be more natural (in my opinion) by replacing "in everything" with "in so many ways" or "in every way." Actually, there are lots of ways to phrase the ending of the sentence.

4. Yes, both versions.

5. Probably, but it could have a different meaning depending on context. Two people fussing over an issue are not having a heated argument, but they are having a "light" argument.

6. Neither works very well. Some possibilities:

Is your watch correct?
Is your watch on time?
Do you have the correct/exact time?
Is your watch accurate?