Common dialogue (but I need your help!)

[mykwyner]

Yes, but "take long" has a slight connotation that the person we're waiting for has control of the amount of time he will be gone.

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by Falcon

Now, I have another doubt:

A lot of ESL learners use that word for question, but say question. (The word doubt is more likely to be used as a verb.)

[Falcon]

Originally Posted by RonBee

A lot of ESL learners use that word for question, but say question. (The word doubt is more likely to be used as a verb.)

Huuummm..., I didn't understand... Could someone give me an example when I must use "doubt"? I thought was writing correctly... So, I should never use "doubt" when I do have a "doubt", is it? I must use "question", instead.

Falcon

[mykwyner]

Do not use the word doubt if you expect a reply. In most cases, doubt means "to lack belief."

If you say, "I have questions about your education," it could mean that you want to know where I went to school, what subjects I studied, etc.

If you say, "I have doubts about your education," it means that you think I am uneducated to some degree.

[curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Falcon

That's OK...

Now, I have another doubt:

- "Do you know if he will take long?"

Is this sentence right? Do you understand what I mean?

Thanks

Falcon

I think doubt is ok here. He has expressed a doubt or concern and then asked a question to clarify his uncertainty. There is nothing wrong with that in my opinion