Forum newsfeeds
Forum Newsfeeds


Sites for Teachers

Sites for Teachers


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > English Idioms and Sayings
Register FAQDonate Members List Mark Forums Read Tags

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 18-Jul-2007, 08:55
burro
 
Posts: n/a
Default my + noun

Hoey has pointed out that "while it is quite usual to speak of my doctor or my accountant, it is not usual to speak of my carpenter or my
bricklayer", but isn't this just because we see the first two more regulary, or we don't change them as often as we would a carpenter, for example?

I would guess the Lord at the manor would say "my carpenter/gardener/etc.".
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 18-Jul-2007, 20:54
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Country: UK
Location: UK
First Language: English
Posts: 11,236
Thanks: 1
Thanked 1,133 Times in 1,090 Posts
Anglika has much to be proud ofAnglika has much to be proud ofAnglika has much to be proud ofAnglika has much to be proud ofAnglika has much to be proud ofAnglika has much to be proud ofAnglika has much to be proud ofAnglika has much to be proud ofAnglika has much to be proud of
Default Re: my + noun

I think this will depend on context. There are two in which I can see "my" being attached to a workman in this way - as you say, an aristocrat with a large staff of workers, or if you are having work done in the house:

My electrician has had to rewire the entire building.

If you want to come round and I'm not there, my carpenter will let you in.


It is a colloquial use that is not uncommon here. It merely means someone who you have employed.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply
Tags:




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
sentence structure question Unregistered Ask a Teacher 6 17-Jan-2008 08:53
"e-mail"...countable or uncountable pink dragon Ask a Teacher 12 31-Aug-2005 01:28
Predicate and Object Noun! Farhaj Ask a Teacher 16 16-Mar-2005 05:22
Subject Noun Farhaj Ask a Teacher 2 04-Mar-2005 10:18
Pick out nouns,pronouns and verb. sara_pk Ask a Teacher 10 21-May-2004 19:09


All times are GMT. The time now is 10:21.



vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.1.0
Copyright © 2002 - 2008 UsingEnglish.com