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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 26-Nov-2004, 12:33
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Default someone or something

Dear teachers,
I came across a sentence which I guess is not correct:

Having come to terms with ALS and found someone in Jane with whom he could share his life on a purely personal level, he bagan o blossom.

I think "someone" should be "something". Is that right? If I am wrong then what does "someone" here mean?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang
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Old 26-Nov-2004, 13:13
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Default Re: someone or something

Quote:
Originally Posted by jiang
Dear teachers,
I came across a sentence which I guess is not correct:

Having come to terms with ALS and found someone in Jane with whom he could share his life on a purely personal level, he bagan o blossom.

I think "someone" should be "something". Is that right? If I am wrong then what does "someone" here mean?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang
It's fine. Try looking at it from this angle:

...and found in Jane, someone with whom he could....
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Old 27-Nov-2004, 01:35
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Default Re: someone or something


Dear Casiopea,
Thank you very much for your explanation. But I still can't understand it. If it is 'found in Jane' then the word 'found' should be followed by an object. Is that right?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Have a nice weekend.

Jiang

Quote:
Originally Posted by Casiopea
It's fine. Try looking at it from this angle:

...and found in Jane, someone with whom he could....
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Old 27-Nov-2004, 04:17
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Default Re: someone or something

Quote:
Originally Posted by jiang
If it is 'found in Jane' then the word 'found' should be followed by an object. Is that right?
That's correct, and the object is 'someone':

EX: I found in Jane someone whom I could talk to.

'in Jane' functions as an adverb. For example,

I found a pen in the drawer that's blue. (Adverb)
I found in the drawer a pen that's blue. (Adverb)
In the drawer, I found a pen. (Adverb)
I found a pen that's blue, in the drawer. (Adverb)

I found a person in Jane whom I could talk to.
I found in Jane a person whom I could talk to.
In Jane, I found a person whom I could talk to.
I found a person whom I could talk to, in Jane.
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Old 27-Nov-2004, 08:34
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&
Dear Casiopea,

Thank you very much for sparing time on the weekend to help me.
However, I'd like to ask one more question:
Does "someone" refers to some quality in a person that "he" appreciates or a fixed image of a person in "his" mind whom he had been looking for?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang
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Old 27-Nov-2004, 11:54
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You're welcome.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jiang
Does "someone" refers to some quality in a person that "he" appreciates or a fixed image of a person in "his" mind whom he had been looking for?
'someone' doesn't refer to a quality. It is synonymous with 'a person'.

I found someone/a person whom I could relate to, and that someone/person is Jane. Within Jane is where I found the person whom I could relate to; that person being Jane herself.
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Old 27-Nov-2004, 13:23
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Dear Casiopea,
Thank you so much for your explanation. Now I see.

Best wishes,

Jiang
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Old 28-Nov-2004, 12:38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jiang

Dear Casiopea,
Thank you so much for your explanation. Now I see.

Best wishes,

Jiang
You're welcome. And sorry for taking so long to get to the gist; I've had a cold, (sniff) and it slows me down.
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Old 29-Nov-2004, 12:51
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Default Re: someone or something

Dear Casiopea,
I am sorry to hear that you have caught cold. We suffered cold current a few days ago and the temperature dropped more than ten degrees. Hospitals are filled with people who didn't put on enough clothes and caught cold.

You have given us a lot of help even when you are sick. So I am sure all of us are more than moved by you.

Do take care.

Jiang
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Old 30-Nov-2004, 10:55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jiang
Dear Casiopea,
I am sorry to hear that you have caught cold. We suffered cold current a few days ago and the temperature dropped more than ten degrees. Hospitals are filled with people who didn't put on enough clothes and caught cold.

You have given us a lot of help even when you are sick. So I am sure all of us are more than moved by you.

Do take care.

Jiang
I will, and thank you for your kinds words and advice.
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