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Old 10-Jul-2003, 06:26
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Default At/in, so/as & well/good

Hello, dear teachers
I’d like to know how to say correctly:
1.I’m not so well at English as you are.
2.I’m not so good at English as you are.
3.I’m not so well in English as you are.
4.I’m not so good in English as you are.
5.I’m not as well at English as you are.
I’d rather prefer the first one :wink:
Thanks in advance!
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Old 10-Jul-2003, 06:50
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Default Re: At/in, so/as & well/good

You can be 'good at', 'bad at', 'great at' doing things, so the preposition is 'at'.
After the verb 'to be', we don't usually use adverbs, so you must use 'good'.
Because the sentence is negative, you can use either 'as' or 'so'. I prefer 'as', but that doesn't mean it's better. According to grammar rules I've read, 'so' can go in negatives of this kind and 'as' can go in either negative or positive sentences.
I would say: I'm not as good at English as you (are).
It would also be correct to say: I'm not so good at English as you (are).
What do the rest of you think?
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Old 10-Jul-2003, 07:07
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Default Re: At/in, so/as & well/good

Thank you very much, Lib. It's a very clear explanation. Now I see my mistake. I always have a lot of difficulties with the things mentioned in the subject line, especially with prepositions.
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Old 10-Jul-2003, 13:58
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Default Re: At/in, so/as & well/good

Quote:
4.I’m not so good in English as you are.
I prefer this one. :wink:
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Old 10-Jul-2003, 15:54
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Default Re: At/in, so/as & well/good

I would say, "I'm not as good at English as you are."

BTW, I agree with Lib's analysis.

:)
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Old 10-Jul-2003, 20:57
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While 'so' is fine, I would naturally use 'as' whether positive or negative. 'So' is correct, but I think it's making its way out of use.
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Old 10-Jul-2003, 22:05
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Default Re: At/in, so/as & well/good

Yes Tdol, I agree that 'so' is disappearing, but it hasn't gone yet. However, being good 'in' something sounds weird to me ... it sounds Spanglish, or at least interfered with by some other language. You live in England (I think), so ask other 'real' speakers if they'd say it. If it's no trouble of course... thanks.
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Old 10-Jul-2003, 23:09
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Default Re: At/in, so/as & well/good

I did a Web search for the phrases in question and came up with some interesting results.

"good at English" = 7,800
"good in English" = 6,680

I doubt that many native speakers say "good in English", but apparently many ESL speakers do.

It's understandable if ESL learners learn that "proficient in English" is acceptable that they think "good in English" is too. It's a natural assumption. My guess is that is it likely to become even more common--at least among ESL learners.

Quote:
Says Venkatesh, “I was never that good in English, but with the extra exams that the school conducted for SSC students in January I was able to improve my writing skills.”
http://www.mid-day.com/metro/lokhand...july/57652.htm
Quote:
I WISH to point out the mistake in saying a person is “good in English” or “good in her studies”. It should be “good at”.
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/stor...features/moe04
"good in English"
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/stor...atures/moe2610
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Old 11-Jul-2003, 22:03
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Default Re: At/in, so/as & well/good

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lib
Yes Tdol, I agree that 'so' is disappearing, but it hasn't gone yet. However, being good 'in' something sounds weird to me ... it sounds Spanglish, or at least interfered with by some other language. You live in England (I think), so ask other 'real' speakers if they'd say it. If it's no trouble of course... thanks.
Just about everybody I know does not use 'so'.
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Old 12-Jul-2003, 06:35
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Default Re: At/in, so/as & well/good

Yes, I agree Tdol. I got confused, I thought it was you who had said that you prefer 'I'm not so good in English'. It was, in fact, ESL-lover.
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