English Language Discussion Forums


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

Quick Links
Sites for Teachers



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20-Mar-2007, 21:05
Newbie
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Country: Hungary
Posts: 19
Current Location: Hungary
Native Language: Hungarian
Member Type: Other
starhu is on a distinguished road
Default Helping a child with clothes

Hello,
Let's say I'm helping a child with his clothes and I want to tell him during this process which piece of clothes I am helping him with.
My problem is this: If I tell him that "I will put on your trousers" suggest that I will wear his trousers.
The "I will put your trousers on you" seems better to me but this sentence looks a little bit long.
What is the most 'English-like' approach?
Thank you for your answer.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2  
Old 20-Mar-2007, 21:12
Anglika's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Country: UK
Posts: 19,390
Current Location: UK
Native Language: English
Member Type: Other
Anglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Helping a child with clothes

"Here are your trousers. Let's put them on."
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20-Mar-2007, 21:13
Key Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Country: USA
Posts: 1,921
Current Location: North Carolina
Native Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
mykwyner will become famous soon enoughmykwyner will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Helping a child with clothes

It would be common for speakers of my dialect to say to a child, "Let's put on your trousers." The word "let's" (let us) tells the child that this is an activity we will be doing together.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20-Mar-2007, 21:14
Key Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Country: USA
Posts: 1,921
Current Location: North Carolina
Native Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
mykwyner will become famous soon enoughmykwyner will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Helping a child with clothes

Yes, Anglika, great minds do think alike.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20-Mar-2007, 21:49
Anglika's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Country: UK
Posts: 19,390
Current Location: UK
Native Language: English
Member Type: Other
Anglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Helping a child with clothes

Deedy deedy!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may 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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Usage Of "does" crool Ask a Teacher 7 09-Aug-2007 15:56
clothes michaelfung Ask a Teacher 10 28-May-2005 03:39
Informative Abstract bmbsa Ask a Teacher 19 02-Mar-2004 13:59
difference between "as if" and "as though&quo Kily Ask a Teacher 2 09-Aug-2003 21:11


All times are GMT. The time now is 01:09.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.3.2
Copyright © 2002 - 2010 UsingEnglish.com