accomplish, quality,bring in, the

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

I have four questions to ask:


No.1
The report is finished. Can I replace "finished" with "accomplished"?

No.2
This suitcase is expensive, but on the other hand, it is good quality.
I think it should be "it is of good quality". Is that right?

No.3
Please keep to the point; don't bring in things that have nothing to do with our discussion.
Can I replace "bring in" with "bring up"?

No.4
They have worked out a plan to cut the costs, improve quality, and increase sales.
Why is there a definite article in "cut the costs" but there isn't any in the rest two?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[2006]

Originally Posted by jiang

Dear teachers,

I have four questions to ask:


No.1
The report is finished. Can I replace "finished" with "accomplished"? no

No.2
This suitcase is expensive, but on the other hand, it is good quality.
I think it should be "it is of good quality". Is that right? Yes, you are right.

No.3
Please keep to the point; don't bring in things that have nothing to do with our discussion.
Can I replace "bring in" with "bring up"? Yes, "bring up" is what is usually said.

No.4
They have worked out a plan to cut the costs, improve quality, and increase sales.
Why is there a definite article in "cut the costs" but there aren't any in the other two? no good reason
I would omit the "the".

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

2006

[sarat_106]

Originally Posted by jiang

Dear teachers,

I have four questions to ask:


No.1
The report is finished. Can I replace "finished" with "accomplished"? Accomplish is not synonym finish,. It means to succeed in doing something, especially after trying very hard or achieve a goal. Our mission is accomplished. We have done what we intended to do. Yes, you can say: The report is accomplished within two days. (which normally would have taken two weeks)



No.2
This suitcase is expensive, but on the other hand, it is good quality.
I think it should be "it is of good quality". Is that right? Yes when the degree of grade or superiority of something is expressed ‘of’ is used: A report of high quality. A household appliance of inferior quality.



No.3
Please keep to the point; don't bring in things that have nothing to do with our discussion.
Can I replace "bring in" with "bring up"? "? Yes, bring up is the appropriate phrasal verb here which means: to introduce into discussion or mention.



No.4
They have worked out a plan to cut the costs, improve quality, and increase sales.
Why is there a definite article in "cut the costs" but there isn't any in the rest two?
Indefinite article ‘The’ can not be used there without any previous reference You can say this way: They have worked out a plan to cut costs, improve quality, and increase sales so as to be able to recoup the cost in just a few years

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

I agree with 2006. It just an elaberation and some alternative suggestions.