Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hela]

Dear teachers,

Would you please tell me if the preposions in blue could be used in the following sentences?

1- What was the happiest day of / in (?) your life?

2- Comme vous savez, c'est l'anniversaire de Burt vendredi prochain.
As you know, it's Burt's birthday (on ?) next Friday.

3- (For ?) How long will you be here?

4- How long will you be here (for ?) ?

5- (For ?) How long have you known him?

Many thanks,
Hela

[CP]

1- What was the happiest day of / in (?) your life? No. Okay: "For once in my life, I had a happy day."

2- Comme vous savez, c'est l'anniversaire de Burt vendredi prochain. Non. Ca va: "le vendredi prochain."
As you know, it's Burt's birthday (on ?) next Friday. No. Okay: "It's Burt's birthday on Friday."

3- (For ?) How long will you be here? Written, no. Spoken, probably all right.

4- How long will you be here (for ?) ? Written, no. Spoken, probably all right.

5- (For ?) How long have you known him? Written, no. Spoken, probably all right.

Others may have different views on these. Au revoir.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[hela]

Good evening CP,

So you would accept:

1) What was the happiest day OF your life ?
2) a) It's Burt's birthday NEXT Friday. OR
b) It's Burt's birthday ON Friday.

3) and you wouldn't use FOR in all the other sentences.
Right?

Kindest regards,
HEla

[CP]

Yes to all your questions.

And, since you probably know French better than I, can you tell me if I was right to change "vendredi" to "le vendredi"? Merci.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[hela]

Hello CP,

No, I wouldn't use the definite article in front of "vendredi prochain". "Le vendredi" means "tous les vendredis" = "on Fridays".

I'm glad to help, for once.
Have a nice weekend!