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Chan-Seung Lee



Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:24 am    Post subject: hold back Reply with quote

Quote:
1.Even though he was very impolite, I had to hold back from getting angry with him.
2.Even though he was very impolite, I had to hold back getting angry with him.


Which one is correct?

Thanks.
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asterix



Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 1654

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

He was so impolite I had to hold back from getting angry with him,
makes more sense.

If you say even though, you expect something a little surprising to follow, e.g.
Even though he had a broken leg he still walked two miles.

So in your example you would expect something like:
Even though he was very impolite, I still smiled cheerfully at him.
OR, e.g. Even though he was very polite I had to hold back my anger.

There has to be a little contradiction if you use even though and if someone is very impolite to you, it is not surprising that you had to hold back your anger.
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