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Chan-Seung Lee
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
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 Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject: make |
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A: You made it seem like I had no idea what you were saying.
B: That's not what I meant to say. It just seemed like you weren't paying attention. |
1.Does A make sense?
2.Then, what does it mean? Could you paraphrase it for me?
Thanks. |
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dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
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| Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:54 am Post subject: |
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A: You made it seem like I had no idea what you were saying.
B: That's not what I meant to say. It just seemed like you weren't paying attention. |
Yes, it makes sense. Can I explain the meaning? Well...yeah, but the medicine may be worse than the cure, if you know what I mean. That is, the explanation may be more difficult to understand than the original sentence, partly because there's a good bit of contextual background that needs to be filled in for it really make sense. The best way to do it is to turn it into a conversation.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Let's say Mr. Smith (A) is a high school math teacher, and James (B) is a student in Mr. Smith's class. Let's listen in:
Mr. Smith: To find the area of a triangle, take one side as the base. Multiply the length of the base by the perpendicular height, and then divide that by 2. For example, let's look at this triangle I've drawn on the board. Now, what is the length of the base...James?
James: Huh?
Mr. Smith: What is the length of the base?
James: Uuhm...I'm sorry. Uh, do you mean...
Mr. Smith (slightly annoyed): Yes, James, the base. The base of the triangle on the board. You know, triangle? The thing with three sides? James, see me in my office after class. Uh...Julie, how about you?
(After class, in Mr. Smith's office.)
Mr. Smith: James, what's going on with you? Your grades have been getting worse, and today it seemed like you were daydreaming in class.
James: Sorry, Mr. Smith. I've just got a lot on my mind. My Mom's been sick lately.
Mr. Smith: I'm sorry to hear that, but you've still got to focus on your school work.
James: I know...but you didn't have to embarrass like that in front of the class. You made it seem like I had no idea what you were saying.
Mr. Smith: That's not what I meant to say. It just seemed like you weren't paying attention. OK, well, just try to keep your mind of what's going on in class...and I hope your mother starts feeling better soon.
James: OK, I will. Thanks, Mr. Smith.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
This is probably clearer than any attempt to actually explain it. I hope. 
Greg |
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Chan-Seung Lee
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
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| Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:14 pm Post subject: once again |
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A: You are making it seem like I am your boyfriend in front of my girlfriend.
B: That's not what I meant to do. I just don't want you to be taken by other girls. |
Hi, Greg!
Thanks a lot for your help.
On the basis of your teaching, I made the above sample dialogue so that you can check if I understand what you taught me.
Could you check if I am right?
Thanks. |
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dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
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| Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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A: You are making it seem like I am your boyfriend in front of my girlfriend.
B: That's not what I meant to do. I just don't want you to be taken by other girls. |
That's pretty good...I think you have the right idea. One minor comment: the last phrase seems to make it sound like the boy is not yet "taken" by another girl, but it appears that he is. After all, he does refer to the girl he is with as his girlfriend; that sounds "taken" to me. She might say something like I just can't stand the fact that you've been taken by another girl. It's a minor difference, but it seems to fit the context slightly better.
Greg |
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