| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Chan-Seung Lee
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
|
 Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:57 am Post subject: utterly |
 |
|
| Quote: |
1)John utterly detests Mary.
2)John utterly loves Mary. |
According to my grammar book, between the above examples, 1) is correct but 2) is wrong. I wonder why? Can you let me know why?
Thanks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Mister Micawber
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 774
Location: Yokohama
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
.
Interesting. Perhaps love is a non-gradable emotion. Quirk et al mention only that utterly tends to co-occur with negative words.
There may be other opinions.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Chan-Seung Lee
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:39 am Post subject: when i say that ... |
|
|
If I say 'I utterly love Mary.', native speakers will think it awkward?
I wonder. Please let me know.
Thanks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mister Micawber
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 774
Location: Yokohama
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
.
To me, it just sounds a little unusual. Love makes people say and do strange things, though.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CP
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 2875
Location: California
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you tell Mary that you utterly love her, she might utterly reject you!
A room can be in utter shambles, but it won't be in utter order. You might be an utter cad, but you can't be an utter gentleman. You can act utterly rudely, but not utterly politely -- it just doesn't sound right. It sounds utterly wrong.
However, if you want to change the world, I recommend starting a rock band called the Utter Gentlemen. Play great music, make international hits, and become known to everyone. People will utterly love you, and that includes Mary.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lotus
Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Posts: 862
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Chan-Seung Lee,
I could be utterly in love with Mary. Alas, I'm in love with somebody else!
Mostly, you can be utterly in the state of something (whether it be good or bad):
utterly in love
utterly lost
utterly lonely
utterly alone
utterly happy (more commonly: extremely happy, ecstatically happy)
utterly unhappy
utterly disappointed
utterly confused
And, you can utterly feel a certain way about something (usually in a negative way):
utterly hate
utterly abhor
utterly despise
Strange how we don't usually utterly love something. Perhaps the negative connotation has taken over (or a fear of love has insidiously enveloped us.)
Love as a deep emotion is usually expressed as:
unrequited love
unconditional love
total love
deep love
true love
If John were really in love with Mary, we would say:
John is totally in love with Mary!
The opposite statements would then be:
John utterly detests Mary.
John totally loves Mary.
--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Anuradha Chepur
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 933
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
In India, a famous butter company (Amul) has its advertising slogan :
Utterly, butterly, delicious!
Being hopelessly in love is common (usage), though. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
