woke up in a cold sweat!

[angliholic]

I had a terrible dream last night and woke up in a cold sweat.


Is it identical to say "woke up with a cold sweat" instead? If not, then what does "in" signify in the above? Thanks.

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by angliholic

I had a terrible dream last night and woke up in a cold sweat.


Is it identical to say "woke up with a cold sweat" instead? If not, then what does "in" signify in the above? Thanks.

Angli,

The use of 'in a cold sweat' is common usage. In this sentence, the preposition 'in' indicates a state or condition that somebody is experiencing. I suppose you could say 'I woke up with a cold sweat', but the more common expression is 'in a cold sweat.'

Cheers,
Amigos4

[baqarah131]

I'd never say "with a cold sweat." No reason, that's just the way things are in English. There are things you say and things you don't say.

regards
edward

Originally Posted by angliholic

I had a terrible dream last night and woke up in a cold sweat.


Is it identical to say "woke up with a cold sweat" instead? If not, then what does "in" signify in the above? Thanks.

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by baqarah131

I'd never say "with a cold sweat." No reason, that's just the way things are in English. There are things you say and things you don't say.

regards
edward

Edward,

You are absolutely correct! There are some things that can be accurate but still do not sound right to the native ear!

We may wake up 'in a cold sweat' but we'd never say we woke up 'in a raging fever.'

There are definitely things we say and things we don't say! Kind of makes life more interesting, doesn't it?

Cheers,
Amigos4

[angliholic]

Originally Posted by amigos4

Angli,

The use of 'in a cold sweat' is common usage. In this sentence, the preposition 'in' indicates a state or condition that somebody is experiencing. I suppose you could say 'I woke up with a cold sweat', but the more common expression is 'in a cold sweat.'

Cheers,
Amigos4

Thanks, Amigos4.
Got it.

By the way, do you teach English or does your work have something to do with English? I'm curious.

Originally Posted by baqarah131

I'd never say "with a cold sweat." No reason, that's just the way things are in English. There are things you say and things you don't say.


regards
edward

Thanks, Edward.

Roger!

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by angliholic

Thanks, Amigos4.
Got it.

By the way, do you teach English or does your work have something to do with English? I'm curious.


Thanks, Edward.

Roger!

Angli,

I am a retired elementary school principal! I taught English for many years before I became a school administrator.

What do you do in Formosa?

Cheers,
Amigos4

[angliholic]

Originally Posted by amigos4

Angli,

I am a retired elementary school principal! I taught English for many years before I became a school administrator.

What do you do in Formosa?

Cheers,
Amigos4

Thanks, Amigos4.

Lucky me that I can meet you. Here we never fail to look up to an elder and a learned person.
Unfortunately, I'm also a teacher teaching the most difficult language for a non-native speaker--English.
I never stayed in America before, but luckily now we have access to internet and have more chances to discuss English questions with kind native speakers like you.
Some of my colleagues wonder why people like you would help answer all of those questions without pay. Could you shed some light?

Best regards,

A

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by angliholic

Thanks, Amigos4.

Lucky me that I can meet you. Here we never fail to look up to an elder and a learned person.
Unfortunately, I'm also a teacher teaching the most difficult language for a non-native speaker--English.
I never stayed in America before, but luckily now we have access to internet and have more chances to discuss English questions with kind native speakers like you.
Some of my colleagues wonder why people like you would help answer all of those questions without pay. Could you shed some light?

Best regards,

A

Some of my colleagues wonder why people like you would help answer all of those questions without pay. Could you shed some light?

Angli,

Helping individuals learn English has always been a great source of pride for me! When I accepted my first teaching job over 46 years ago it was definitely not for the money I was going to receive. It was an opportunity to enrich the lives of the students in my classes. Over the past 46 years little has changed; I still thoroughly enjoy assisting students who seek to enrich their lives.

I should be thanking you for providing me with opportunities to continue to do what I enjoy the most! Your questions challenge me to stop and think about some of the vocabulary, sentence structures, and idioms that we native speakers take for granted! I, too, learn something new every day!

Over the past few weeks, ever since I became a member of this forum, I have monitored your progress! Keep up the good work! I see continued growth and a strong desire to present 'common usage' examples to your students!

Cheers,
Amigos4

[baqarah131]

I can add very little to what amigos4 has said so eloquently.
I take part because of the sheer fascination of communicating rapidly with people all over the world--in addition to all that amigos wrote above.
I'm amazed that after 60 years of speaking English I'm still a beginner, still need to use a dictionary every day, still learn from students like yourself.

regards
edward

btw, "regards edward" is my favorite sign-off, because it's typed entirely with the left hand!

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by baqarah131

I can add very little to what amigos4 has said so eloquently.
I take part because of the sheer fascination of communicating rapidly with people all over the world--in addition to all that amigos wrote above.
I'm amazed that after 60 years of speaking English I'm still a beginner, still need to use a dictionary every day, still learn from students like yourself.

regards
edward

btw, "regards edward" is my favorite sign-off, because it's typed entirely with the left hand!

Nice trick, Edward! I am even more talented than you are: I can type 'regards Edward' entirely using only my left index finger! How is that for skill, eh?

Cheers,
Amigos4