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Thread: stand a test

  1. #1
    ostap77 is offline Key Member
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    Default stand a test

    Is it possible to say "stand to the test of time" meaning to not survive the test of time but something that will be proven either right or wrong by the test of time?

  2. #2
    emsr2d2 is online now VIP Member
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    Default Re: stand a test

    Quote Originally Posted by ostap77 View Post
    Is it possible to say "stand to the test of time" meaning to not survive the test of time but something that will be proven either right or wrong by the test of time?
    No. "To stand the test of time" has nothing to do with something being right or wrong - it simply goes to show the durability of something (whether it is a physical thing or an idea or a concept etc).

    "Only time will tell [whether it's right or wrong]"
    Barb_D, bhaisahab, ostap77 and 1 others like this.

  3. #3
    ostap77 is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: stand a test

    Quote Originally Posted by emsr2d2 View Post
    No. "To stand the test of time" has nothing to do with something being right or wrong - it simply goes to show the durability of something (whether it is a physical thing or an idea or a concept etc).

    "Only time will tell [whether it's right or wrong]"
    Do you guys ever say to stand to the test of time? If so, what would it mean?

  4. #4
    Rover_KE is online now VIP Member
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    Default Re: stand a test

    Quote Originally Posted by ostap77 View Post
    Do you guys ever say to stand to the test of time? If so, what would it mean?
    No.

    We only say stand the test of time.

    Rover
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  5. #5
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: stand a test

    There are examples of people using it on the internet, but I wouldn't use it. Quite a few of the examples are not native speakers.
    Last edited by Tdol; 09-Oct-2011 at 09:05. Reason: Changing naive -> native
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  6. #6
    ostap77 is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: stand a test

    Quote Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
    There are examples of people using it on the internet, but I wouldn't use it. Quite a few of the examples are not native speakers.
    When would native speakers use it? Would you be talking about "stand to the test of time"?

  7. #7
    Rover_KE is online now VIP Member
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    Default Re: stand a test

    Reread my post #4.

    If you want examples of incorrect usage you'll have to search the internet yourself.

    Rover
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  8. #8
    emsr2d2 is online now VIP Member
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    Default Re: stand a test

    Quote Originally Posted by ostap77 View Post
    When would native speakers use it? Would you be talking about "stand to the test of time"?
    As you've been told, native speakers would not use it.
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  9. #9
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: stand a test

    Quote Originally Posted by ostap77 View Post
    When would native speakers use it? Would you be talking about "stand to the test of time"?
    Yes, I am, and my advice is not to use it.

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