Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

We want to give our guests a homely feel, so each room is themed around memories from our lives. There are also styles to remind me of Mom ---- a tiny chair which used to be in her bedroom is set in one room.
We are having a wonderful life and Mum feels naturally part of it, because there�s no way we would be here if it wasn�t for the necklace she gave me. I know she�s here in spirit, keeping an eye on us .

I am puzzled over the underlined "feels" . Since her mother is dead, how could she feel naturally part of it? Is "feels" naturally or correctly used here?

Should it be written like "Mum makes me feel she is naturally part of it" instead?

Thanks!

Jason

[IanT]

It's like a short way of saying "it feels to us as if Mum is naturally part of it".

Similarly, you can say "the chair feels comfortable", even though the chair can't feel anything.

Hope helps,
Ian
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[Tao]

[quote="jasonlulu_2000"]We want to give our guests a homely feel, so each room is themed around memories from our lives. There are also styles to remind me of Mom ---- a tiny chair which used to be in her bedroom is set in one room.
We are having a wonderful life and Mum[u] feels [/u]naturally part of it, because there�s no way we would be here if it wasn�t for the necklace she gave me. I know she�s here in spirit, keeping an eye on us .

I am puzzled over the underlined "feels" . Since her mother is dead, how could she feel naturally part of it? Is "feels" naturally or correctly used here?

Should it be written like "Mum makes me feel she is naturally part of it" instead?

Thanks!

Jason[/quote]

In American English, homely means unattractive�jsyk. British Eng�ok. So if you�re in America, don�t tell someone the room is homely; use the word homey.
I think the sentence you refer to is poorly worded. If Mom is dead, then she certainly doesn�t feel anything. You could say �having a wonderful life and we feel Mum is naturally part of it.
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TAO