Forum newsfeeds 
|  | | Notices | You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language. If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly at the top of your post. Please note, all posts are moderated by our in-house language experts, so make sure your suggestions, help, and advice house the kind of information an international language teacher would offer. If not, and your posts do not contribute to the topic in a positive way, they will be subject to deletion. | 
22-Dec-2007, 07:08
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Country: Bulgaria
Posts: 1,828
Current Location: Varna First Language: bulgarian Member Type: Student or Learner Thanks: 453
Thanked 240 Times in 219 Posts
| |  on the fence
Dear teachers,
Yesterday I read an interesting expression in the following excerpt from a forum:
"So while I'm still on the fence about these off-brand TVs, join us in this hot forum discussion thread created by one of our members, and tell us what you think about this off-brand TVs. Would you consider buying out them, or do you solely stick with well known names that have a lot of history."
This expression 'on the fence" gives us a gentle hint that the author couldn't decide to come down on the right or on the wrong site of the fence; he couldn't decide which of two sides to support; he left uncommitted or neutral; his behaviour was characterized by indecision.
Could you confirm the common usage of this expression or it is an ingenious
hint of a eccentric writer?
Thank you in advance for your efforts.
Regards.
V. |
22-Dec-2007, 11:14
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Feb 2003 Country: USA
Posts: 14,455
Current Location: North Carolina First Language: English Member Type: Other Thanks: 85
Thanked 1,203 Times in 1,068 Posts
| | Re: on the fence
It's exactly the way you described it. Somebody who is on the fence about something hasn't been able to decide one way or the other.
~R |
22-Dec-2007, 11:44
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Country: UK
Posts: 3,878
Current Location: UK First Language: English Member Type: Other Thanks: 3
Thanked 1,527 Times in 1,360 Posts
| | Re: on the fence
...and we refer to somebody as "sitting on the fence" |
22-Dec-2007, 15:02
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Country: Bulgaria
Posts: 1,828
Current Location: Varna First Language: bulgarian Member Type: Student or Learner Thanks: 453
Thanked 240 Times in 219 Posts
| | Re: on the fence
Hi RonBee,
Thank you for your conforming reply.
Really and truly the mentioned above expression focused my attention with its picturesqueness and vividness.
Thank you for your backing.
Regards.
V. |
22-Dec-2007, 15:18
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Country: Bulgaria
Posts: 1,828
Current Location: Varna First Language: bulgarian Member Type: Student or Learner Thanks: 453
Thanked 240 Times in 219 Posts
| | Re: on the fence
Hi David L,
Thank you for your prompt reply.
Thank you also for the further information concerning the mentioned above expression. The referred from you modification is more picturesqueness and vividness than the original expression.
Thank you for your attention.
Regards.
V. |
23-Dec-2007, 01:04
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Feb 2003 Country: USA
Posts: 14,455
Current Location: North Carolina First Language: English Member Type: Other Thanks: 85
Thanked 1,203 Times in 1,068 Posts
| | Re: on the fence
Say: more picturesque and vivid
 |
23-Dec-2007, 06:20
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Country: Bulgaria
Posts: 1,828
Current Location: Varna First Language: bulgarian Member Type: Student or Learner Thanks: 453
Thanked 240 Times in 219 Posts
| | Re: on the fence
Hi RonBee,
Thank you for your justified correction. I will take it in consideration.
Thank you for your kindness.
Happy Holidays.
Regards.
V. |
23-Dec-2007, 11:51
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Feb 2003 Country: USA
Posts: 14,455
Current Location: North Carolina First Language: English Member Type: Other Thanks: 85
Thanked 1,203 Times in 1,068 Posts
| | Re: on the fence
You are quite welcome. Post more!  | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
Posting Rules
| You may post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | | All times are GMT. The time now is 04:30. | |
