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Thread: The word"be"

  1. #1
    Rasheed.np is offline Banned
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    Default The word"be"

    Dear sir, i want know is there meaning it'self the word"be"? Somone told me no any meaning only the word, be. But i think there is meaning that is ,exist, remine,live. Can you explain,which is true?. Thanks.
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    SoothingDave is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: The word"be"

    Be | Define Be at Dictionary.com

    Is your dictionary broken?
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    Default Re: The word"be"

    Well, Rasheed, TheParser has kindly done the work for you this time, but in future please remember that we are not a replacement for a dictionary. We are happy to help you if you have problems with the dictionary definitions, but we expect you to make some effort first. Besides, using a dictionary is usually quicker than waiting for an answer in this forum

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    emsr2d2 is online now VIP Member
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    Default Re: The word"be"

    Having seen the other thread you started because you weren't satisfied with the first answer, I would like to point out that you need to concentrate on your spelling of "dictionary".

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    Rasheed.np is offline Banned
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    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Wink Re: The word"be

    Dear sir ,if i have any doubts related my previous question or new ,which part should i post message here? Or in "quick reply"?

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    Default Re: The word"be

    Quote Originally Posted by Rasheed.np View Post
    Dear sir ,if i I have any doubts related my previous question or a new one ,which part should i post message here? Or in "quick reply"?
    Click on 'Post Reply' to add a related question to this thread; start a new thread for an unelated question.

    Please capitalise 'I', the first person pronoun.

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    Rasheed.np is offline Banned
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    Default Related to The word"be"

    Dear sir,Yesterday I asked a question about the word 'be'. But I am not satisfied with one answer that says 'Is your dictionary broken? I think it is a joke and is amazing. I would like to say My dictionary has no defect.He may not understood my question! May I repeat the question,'Is there meaning it'self (only) the word "be"? Like other words, get, take,put. We can see in dictionary meaning of 'be'-live,exist,remain. I think it has meaning itself.Ex."you must be at the police station tomorrow".In this sentence 'be'has strong meaning ,that present of the person is must. One educated man told me that' be' has no any meaning itself (only).I want know which is true? I would like to say an important that,as I am leaner of english,I am expecting your answers should be from experts of english not from any member like student and I want show your answer to that person as an evidence. Thanks.

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    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: Related to The word"be"

    Which do you think is more likely to be right- hundreds of dictionaries written by scholars and experts or this one person? Dictionaries are full of solid examples of the verb with various meanings.

    Try this one
    I think, therefore I am.

    Am is not meaningless here- thinking proves that we exist. It is used as a philosophical proof of existence and the verb chosen to express existence is the verb be. Take the example TheParser gave from Shakespeare - To be or not to be - if be is meaningless, then what does this phrase mean?
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    Default Re: Related to The word"be"

    Quote Originally Posted by Rasheed.np View Post
    May I repeat the question,'Is there meaning it'self (only) the word "be"? Like other words, get, take,put. We can see in dictionary meaning of 'be'-live,exist,remain.
    There is your answer!
    One educated man told me that' be' has no any meaning itself (only).
    As TheParser pointed out, sometimes it has no real 'meaning'. Some languages would use no verb at all in TheParser's first example.
    I would like to say an important that, as I am learner of e English,I am expecting your answers should be from experts of e English not from any member like student
    One of the joys of this forum is that non-teachers can sometimes give very useful insights into the workings of the language and the problems experienced by learners.
    and I want to show your answer to that person as an evidence
    Some of us are what you might term 'experts'. That does not mean that everything we write must be taken as absolutely true. Mathematicians and scientists can prove that certain things are or are not true. All we linguists can say is that, on the evidence we have, it seems that a certain word is always used with meanings a,b,c,etc or that most native speakers do not use tense a to describe situation x. We know when we say that that the answer may be different next year.
    Tdol and bhaisahab like this.

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    Rasheed.np is offline Banned
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    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Uses of "to be"

    Dear sir, I would like to thank you for your valuable services. May I know how to use "to be" commonly in passive. When we ask use of to be in web or somebody, They will answer rapidily ' I am a doctor, It was nice, He is a farmer. We can'nt find 'to be' in that examples. Here I am not asking such type uses,but sentences which included raelly the word 'to be'. See some ex. 1. Things to be eaten. 2.Medical projects to be executed. 3. They demant to be sent back. 4. The boy believed to be wearing a blue shirt.5. I am proud tm be Indian. 6.. He told me to be here at ten O' clock. 7. I was told to be there. Sir, would you mind if I asked some facts from those examples. ( 1) Is meaning of 'to be' same in all examples? (I dont think) (2) If not would you explain the meaning of each sentences ?(3) can say some times 'to be' is= to infinitive? ex. to talk , to play (4) Is 'to be' used commonly in passive ? What about He told me to be here?. Thanks very much.

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