if I were you

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

09-Jun-2004, 23:47
MikeNewYork

Quote:

Originally Posted by james_chew_84

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

Quote:

Originally Posted by james_chew_84

are you ppl dragging this on just for fun?.you would probably be talking in person when you say i would listen to me or you, if i were you.so, there is no need for pronouns when the conversation is about the both of you.Why not solve the problem by leaving the pronouns out.wouldn't it be easier to say i would listen, if i were you.well, if there's a third party involved you can say. i would listen to him if i were you and if it's a thing you can use "the "for example. i would fasten the seat-belt if i were you.

Yes, you've said that. It is a reasonable approach, but not the most common, IMO. :wink:

what do you mean by not the most common?then, what do americans usually say?

In this example, both the "your" and "my" forms are more common than the "the" form, in my experience.
10-Jun-2004, 00:05
james_chew_84

In this example, both the "your" and "my" forms are more common than the "the" form, in my experience.[/quote]

I guess we are worlds apart. :) In malaysia we seldom use your or my.but i agree with i would listen to me, if i were you.i would listen to me(me shows that it's subjunctive). if it weren't for the subjunctive it would probably be i would listen to myself.
10-Jun-2004, 00:08
navi tasan

You do have a point James. But how about:
"I'd take my car if I were you, not his."
10-Jun-2004, 00:18
james_chew_84

Quote:

Originally Posted by navi tasan

You do have a point James. But how about:
"I'd take my car if I were you, not his."

read my reply again. you might understand better. his/her is used when it involves a third person and not things and as for things it's better to use "the" to be on the safest side.
10-Jun-2004, 00:22
james_chew_84

Quote:

Originally Posted by james_chew_84

Quote:

Originally Posted by navi tasan

You do have a point James. But how about:
"I'd take my car if I were you, not his."

read my reply again. you might understand better. his/her is used when it involves a third person and not things and as for things it's better to use "the" to be on the safest side.

my and your are not needed to show possession here.the person you're talking to would probably know who owns whatever you're talking about.
10-Jun-2004, 00:24
navi tasan

I am not sure I get your point.
In my sentence "his" stands for "his car". I could write it:
"If I were you, I'd take my car and not his car."
"If I were you, I'd accept my offer and not his offer."
I don't see how one can use "the" here.
10-Jun-2004, 00:34
james_chew_84

Quote:

Originally Posted by navi tasan

I am not sure I get your point.
In my sentence "his" stands for "his car". I could write it:
"If I were you, I'd take my car and not his car."
"If I were you, I'd accept my offer and not his offer."
I don't see how one can use "the" here.

i don't know what you're talking either. what i know is the person you're talking to probably knows whose car it is of.So, using my his your or whatever is no needed to show possession.Don't you agree with me Mike?
10-Jun-2004, 00:47
james_chew_84

no=not
is there any way i can correct my spelling errors without posting any messages?
10-Jun-2004, 05:57
MikeNewYork

Quote:

Originally Posted by james_chew_84

In this example, both the "your" and "my" forms are more common than the "the" form, in my experience.

I guess we are worlds apart. :) In malaysia we seldom use your or my.but i agree with i would listen to me, if i were you.i would listen to me(me shows that it's subjunctive). if it weren't for the subjunctive it would probably be i would listen to myself.[/quote]

It is a minor point of English. It is not enough to divide us. :wink:
10-Jun-2004, 06:00
MikeNewYork

Quote:

Originally Posted by james_chew_84

Quote:

Originally Posted by navi tasan

I am not sure I get your point.
In my sentence "his" stands for "his car". I could write it:
"If I were you, I'd take my car and not his car."
"If I were you, I'd accept my offer and not his offer."
I don't see how one can use "the" here.

i don't know what you're talking either. what i know is the person you're talking to probably knows whose car it is of.So, using my his your or whatever is no needed to show possession.Don't you agree with me Mike?

In this case, I don't agree. There is a difference between his car and my car. :wink:

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page