Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Yaqi Huang]

Dear teachers:

I would like to know the difference between "spray the paint on the wall" and "spray the wall with the paint".
I thought they are same before, but I found it seems a little different.

Best wishes,
Yaqi Huang

[lotus]

They generally mean the same thing, that paint is being put on the wall.

The first one has more emphasis on the paint. The second one has more emphasis on the wall.


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

[Yaqi Huang]

Thanks for your response:)

Um.... But I find that I typed a wrong word

I want to ask the difference between"spread the paint on the wall "and "spread the wall with the paint" instead of "spray".

So sorry

Best wishes,
Yaqi Huang

[lotus]

It's the same idea, except that "spread the paint" implies using a hand paintbrush instead of spray paint.


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

[Yaqi Huang]

Thanks Teacher again

If "spray" and "spread" are same here, and I would like to discuss "spray" more about this question.

1.Spray the paint on the wall
I think that implies the whole pot of paint is sprayed on the wall, but I don't know if the wall is sprayed with the paint all or not.

2.Spray the wall with the paint
It implies the wall is sprayed with the paint all.


Sincerely,
Yaqi Huang

[lotus]

Spraying the paint is not the same as spreading the paint. Spreading the paint implies using a paint brush. Spraying the paint implies using an air forced spray gun or can spray paint.

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-commercial-painter-stairs-spray-painting-image19527795



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