J joham Key Member Joined Oct 30, 2007 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Chinese Home Country China Current Location China Nov 20, 2012 #1 Could you help me with this question: Are all three die phrases fine with this sentence? The wind died away/down/out to a faint breeze.
Could you help me with this question: Are all three die phrases fine with this sentence? The wind died away/down/out to a faint breeze.
emsr2d2 Moderator Staff member Joined Jul 28, 2009 Member Type English Teacher Native Language British English Home Country UK Current Location UK Nov 20, 2012 #2 I think "died away" and "died out" suggest that the wind went away completely, leaving nothing at all. "Died down" suggests that it weakened so it would make sense for there to be faint breeze remaining afterwards.
I think "died away" and "died out" suggest that the wind went away completely, leaving nothing at all. "Died down" suggests that it weakened so it would make sense for there to be faint breeze remaining afterwards.
S SoothingDave VIP Member Joined Apr 17, 2009 Member Type Interested in Language Native Language American English Home Country United States Current Location United States Nov 21, 2012 #3 "Died away" sounds odd to me.
T Tdol No Longer With Us (RIP) Staff member Joined Nov 13, 2002 Native Language British English Home Country UK Current Location Japan Nov 21, 2012 #4 Died away sounds fine to me, though not in this context- died down is the one I'd use here.