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Thread: Somebody is changing for the better

  1. #1
    TitoBr is offline Junior Member
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    Default Somebody is changing for the better

    Hail!

    why do I have to use 'the' in the sentence: he is chaning for the better?

    Is it possible to use without the article?

    Cheers,
    Tito

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Somebody is changing for the better

    Quote Originally Posted by TitoBr View Post
    Hail! (Very unnatural greeting in 21st century English)

    Why do I have to use 'the' in the sentence: he is changing for the better?

    Is it possible to use without ​omit the article?

    Cheers,
    Tito
    Something that happens "for the better" is idiomatic. Look at the definition here and scroll down to idioms.
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  3. #3
    TitoBr is offline Junior Member
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    Default Re: Somebody is changing for the better

    Yeah, I know that 'Hail' is not used anymore, let's say, since Roman times. Thank you for the corrections and the link.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Somebody is changing for the better

    I am moderately sure that 'Hail' was not used in Roman times.
    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.


  5. #5
    TitoBr is offline Junior Member
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    Default Re: Somebody is changing for the better

    No? What about 'Hail Caesar'?

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Somebody is changing for the better

    Quote Originally Posted by TitoBr View Post
    No? What about 'Hail Caesar'?
    I would bet my life savings that nobody around in Roman times ever uttered those words.
    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
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  7. #7
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    Default Re: Somebody is changing for the better

    I'm moderately sure that I can bet 5jj's life savings on the fact that the Romans didn't speak much English.
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  8. #8
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    Default Re: Somebody is changing for the better

    I'd be willing to bet 5jj's savings on that, too.
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  9. #9
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    Default Re: Somebody is changing for the better

    It's sweet to see how you are all so happy to bet my life savings; on this question, you'd be safe enough with your own.
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  10. #10
    emsr2d2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Somebody is changing for the better

    Quote Originally Posted by 5jj View Post
    It's sweet to see how you are all so happy to bet my life savings; on this question, you'd be safe enough with your own.
    If I had any, I would.
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