Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

Sina · Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 117 Location: Germany

Hi everybody:), I've got questions again...
First one: ..."even when they are obviously meant to be"
What does that mean? A kind of "even when they shall be"?

Second: The accident was due to his lack of driving.
Is it right that way? Can you give other terms expressing the same as above?

Third: What does "altoghether" mean?

Forth: And has "definitely" the same meaning as "in any case"?

Would nbe kind if you help........Bye

iitimone7 · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 400 Location: Indiana, USA

Good morning Sina

'altogether' is American English slang in which the two words 'all' and
'together' are formed into one word out of laziness

'the accident was due to his lack of driving' is the best way to phrase that sentence.
you could also say ' due to his lack of driving skills, he had an acident' or 'because of his lack of driving skills, he had an accident,' but due to is still better.

'definitely' is a strong way of saying 'absolutely'

'meant to be' is a little harder. it means something like 'it should have always been that way.'

i hope that helps...your English is very good! iitimone7

Bob S. · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 1767 Location: So. Cal

Sina · Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 117 Location: Germany

Thanks for replying......but I still have any questions.. Confused

grey · Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Posts: 2

Please, where I have go for beginner level?

Bob S. · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 1767 Location: So. Cal

Sina · Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 117 Location: Germany

Thanks again! Very Happy

By the way, your german is quite well.. Wink

Sorry, I was just kidding...My english isn't good either. But I hope you'll understand me anyway...
Well, some questions...

asterix · Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 1654

Altogether = 1.) totally, completely. e.g. You are altogether wrong.

OR 2.) On the whole. e.g. Altogether it has been a fine day.

OR 3.) In total. e.g. There are six rooms altogether.

Auf deutsch - ganz, im Ganzen, ingesamt; was macht das zusammen?

iitimone7 · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 400 Location: Indiana, USA

grey - you can post anywhere you want and we'll help you

iitimone7 · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 400 Location: Indiana, USA

correct in the meanings, asterix, but altogether is not a real word...it was made up many, many years ago by people who are lazy in their english speech

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

Perhaps at one time it was not a real word (I really don't know), but it is certainly a real word today. What is it about the word that would make you say that someone is a lazy speaker to use it, Iitimone7? I hear/see it used a lot.

iitimone7 · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 400 Location: Indiana, USA

bud, i meant to say in written language. it's been used improperly for so long that it is now an accepted spelling - that doesn't make it correct.

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

Sure it does, doesn't it? Words become words because many people use them. Later, dictionaries start to document them. They don't become words because there is some authority that decrees them to be legitimate words. Do you have a similar problem with alright and already?

Bob S. · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 1767 Location: So. Cal

iitimone7 · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 400 Location: Indiana, USA

as a matter of fact, bud, i do. and with other similar words...such as 'alot' (it's the only thing that comes to mind), but Bob S used it correctly in the previous post. i don't have a problem with other people using them and i don't correct them, unless they act, but english is hard enough to learn without adding more confusion by adding an 'a' or 'al' to any word that sounds good. iitimone7