[Naamplao]

Originally Posted by jiang

Dear teachers,

I have three questions to ask:

No.1
The town is surrounded by mountains.
My question is: Can I use 'encircled' to replace 'surrounded'? To me if there is any difference between the two it is 'encircle' may mean 'to surround something in a regular circle' while 'surround might be in irregular shape'. Is that right?

I could not express the difference better.

No.2
The following is the definitions of 'give off' and 'give out':
give out: to produce light, heat, or a gas or a sound (he gave out a yell when he discovered gold.)
give off: to produce heat, light, a smell, or a gas
The only difference is in 'give off' 'a smell ' is added.
My question is: If I refer to the other three except 'a smell' the two phrases are interchangeable. If I refer to 'a smell' I can only use 'give off'. Is that right?

hmmmm....let us see....

heat
#1 The radiator gave off enough heat to keep us warm through the night.
#2 The radiator gave out enough heat to keep us warm through the night.

Both seem correct but I would probably use #1

light
#3 The flashlight gave off a weak beam of light just before the batteries died.
#4 The flashlight gave out a weak beam of light just before the batteries died.

Both seem correct but I would probably use #3

smell
#5 The rotting body gave off the stench of death.
#6 The rotting body gave out the stench of death. (definitely wrong)

Gas
#7 The stagnant water gave off bubbles of marsh gas.
#8 The stagnant water gave out bubbles of marsh gas.(this doesn't sound right to me)

Sound
#9 He gave off a yell when he discovered gold. (this doesn't sound right to me)
#10 He gave out a yell when he discovered gold.


No.3
When she finished drinking he left the bar.
My question is: Can I use 'ended' replace 'finished'?

You could but it is not often said that way. However "stopped" is a common alternative.

When she stopped drinking he left the bar.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

...you are welcome.