Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[dido4]

1.He doesn't write neatly on his notes.

2.He doesn't write neatly at his notes.

Q:Which one is right?

If both, what's the difference?

Thank you

[beancurdturtle]

A specific answer would be context driven. What's the sentence before and after.

If it stands alone, "His notes are not neat."
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Daniel

�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss

[Lorikeet]

Or, "He doesn't write his notes neatly."

[2006]

He doesn't write his notes neatly.

[dido4]

It's a translation, from Chinese to English.

Q1: I was wondering: is it ok to use in / on / at in the sentence.

Q2: Is it different? It seems a slight difference from beancurdturtle�s reply.

thank you

[beancurdturtle]

The "in" or "on" is understood by the context.

"He doesn't write his notes neatly." is more specific, and a bit more gentle phrasing. The phrasing I used is more terse and masculine.

They have the same meaning, but Lorikeet's choice is nice - I like it better.
_________________
Daniel

�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss

[lotus]

Hi dido4,

Sometimes literal translation is not possible. In this case (in English) you either concentrate on the neatness of his handwriting or the neatness of his notes.

He doesn't write his notes neatly. (handwriting)
His notes were not neat. (notes)

If you MUST use a preposition, try these under (handwriting):

(notes)
The notes were not neatly written.
The note's handwriting was not neat.

(handwriting)
His handwriting on his notes was not neat.
The handwriting in his notes was not neat.
His handwriting of the notes was not neat.
His handwriting on the notes was not neat.
The writing on the notes was not neat.
His writing of the notes was not neat.

There are many other ways to say it.


--lotus
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War does not make one great --Yoda