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Chan-Seung Lee

Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:02 am Post subject: means

Quote:

1.Shall I ask him?-By all means.
2.Do you mind if I have a look?- By all means.
3.Can I bring Alan?-By all means!
4.Take that offer by all means.

I can understand the meaning of 'by all means' in #1, #2, and #3.
But I wonder what 'by all means' in #4 means.
Could you tell me?

Thanks.

Bob S.

Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:55 am Post subject: Re: means

Chan-Seung Lee wrote:

Quote:

1.Shall I ask him?-By all means.
2.Do you mind if I have a look?- By all means.
3.Can I bring Alan?-By all means!
4.Take that offer by all means.

I can understand the meaning of 'by all means' in #1, #2, and #3.
But I wonder what 'by all means' in #4 means.
Could you tell me?

It means the same thing.
"By all means" can mean please, go ahead or you definitely should, depending on the context.
_________________
"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper

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