Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    victor su is offline Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Interested in Language
      • Native Language:
      • Chinese
      • Home Country:
      • China
      • Current Location:
      • China
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    135

    Default Is this sentence correct?

    I came across this sentence:

    It means using the English that you already have to get more。


    It sounds weird to me. You already have to get more? What does it mean?

  2. #2
    MikeNewYork's Avatar
    MikeNewYork is offline VIP Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Posts
    6,073
    Teacher

    Default Re: Is this sentence correct?

    Quote Originally Posted by victor su View Post
    I came across this sentence:

    It means using the English that you already have to get more。


    It sounds weird to me. You already have to get more? What does it mean?
    I think you are reading the "have to" as a modal of obligation.

    Try reading it this way:

    It means [using the English that you already have] to get more。

    It means [using the English you have already acquired] to learn more English

  3. #3
    victor su is offline Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Interested in Language
      • Native Language:
      • Chinese
      • Home Country:
      • China
      • Current Location:
      • China
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    135
    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Smile Re: Is this sentence correct?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeNewYork View Post
    I think you are reading the "have to" as a modal of obligation.

    Try reading it this way:

    It means [using the English that you already have] to get more。

    It means [using the English you have already acquired] to learn more English
    Thank you. I'll be careful next time.

  4. #4
    MikeNewYork's Avatar
    MikeNewYork is offline VIP Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Posts
    6,073
    Teacher

    Default Re: Is this sentence correct?

    Quote Originally Posted by victor su View Post
    Thank you. I'll be careful next time.
    It's not your fault; the fault lies with the different uses of "have". In my opinion, the sentence should have been rewritten to avoid the stumble.

  5. #5
    rewboss's Avatar
    rewboss is offline Key Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    1,554
    Teacher

    Default Re: Is this sentence correct?

    Some possible improvements:

    It means getting more English by using the knowledge you already have.
    It means using the English you already have in order to get more.

Similar Threads

  1. why is this sentence correct?
    By zahari in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 19-Feb-2007, 15:09
  2. correct sentence
    By shaukat mahmood in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-Oct-2006, 16:30
  3. Is the sentence correct?
    By Hanka in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-Oct-2006, 20:51
  4. correct a sentence
    By hela in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 02-Apr-2005, 10:01
  5. grammar
    By jiang in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 17-Dec-2003, 18:02

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0