Forum newsfeeds
Forum Newsfeeds


Sites for Teachers

Sites for Teachers


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher

Notices

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 30-Jan-2006, 09:45
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Country: Denmark
Posts: 241
Current Location: Denmark
First Language: English
Member Type: Student or Learner
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nordic Bill is on a distinguished road
Default "Undeveloped" or "Underdeveloped"?

There is a good chance both adjectives can be used here (depending on the extent to which this individual is lacking in his social skills), but what would typically be the phrasing used about a person who brings up risqué topics at civilized social gatherings, asks another person in the company of strangers how much s/he earns, comes out with personal remarks where these are uncalled for, etc.?
Would you say "He has undeveloped social skills" or "He has underdeveloped social skills"?
Thanks,
Bill
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 30-Jan-2006, 15:46
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Country: Germany
Posts: 1
First Language: English
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
ryanscheidt is on a distinguished road
Default Re: "Undeveloped" or "Underdeveloped"?

I believe Underdeveloped is what you're looking for. Undeveloped would imply that he has not developed any social skills at all. But since he is not likely to be a neanderthal or raised by wolves, he probably has some social skills. Just not very well developed social skills. In other words, he has underdeveloped social skills.



Hope that helps!
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 30-Jan-2006, 15:57
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Country: Denmark
Posts: 241
Current Location: Denmark
First Language: English
Member Type: Student or Learner
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nordic Bill is on a distinguished road
Default Re: "Undeveloped" or "Underdeveloped"?

Thanks, ryanscheidt. That was about what I figured as well (i.e. the choice depends on the rate to which he or she lacks development). Glad to have that confirmed.

Take care,
Bill
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 31-Jan-2006, 03:15
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,454
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Thanks: 6
Thanked 429 Times in 385 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: "Undeveloped" or "Underdeveloped"?

If he lives in a cave and eats people, you could say his skills were undeveloped.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 31-Jan-2006, 10:13
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Country: Denmark
Posts: 241
Current Location: Denmark
First Language: English
Member Type: Student or Learner
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nordic Bill is on a distinguished road
Default Re: "Undeveloped" or "Underdeveloped"?

I know what you mean, tdol. I used to go to high school with guys like that.
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 01-Feb-2006, 07:47
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,454
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Thanks: 6
Thanked 429 Times in 385 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: "Undeveloped" or "Underdeveloped"?

And the teachers were worse.
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 01-Feb-2006, 08:09
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Country: Denmark
Posts: 241
Current Location: Denmark
First Language: English
Member Type: Student or Learner
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nordic Bill is on a distinguished road
Default Re: "Undeveloped" or "Underdeveloped"?

Hey! Sounds like you and I probably attended the same school, tdol!
Oh well, the fact that you and I are now communicating through a website focusing on proper English usage must indicate we came from a good batch!
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 02-Feb-2006, 03:42
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,454
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Thanks: 6
Thanked 429 Times in 385 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: "Undeveloped" or "Underdeveloped"?

If the head had shave the palms of his hands, we were at the same place.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
quotundevelopedquot

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


New To Site? Need Help?

All times are GMT. The time now is 14:25.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0
Copyright © 2002 - 2008 UsingEnglish.com