Hucky
Member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2011
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- German
- Home Country
- Switzerland
- Current Location
- Switzerland
An inquisitive learner asked the following polite question:
Could you explain to me the different meaning of the two words road and avenue?
What I´d like to know in this context is this:
1) Shouldn´t the noun meaning rather have a plural since the two words to be explained don´t have the same meaning.
2) When I put it into the plural, wouldn´t it sound as if I had asked to explain the various secondary meanings (sub-meanings: literal and figurative)?
How to get out of the dilemma? To render the intended sense, what more adequate dubbing can you think of? What about this one: Could you explain the difference in meaning between the two words road and avenue?
Could you explain to me the different meaning of the two words road and avenue?
What I´d like to know in this context is this:
1) Shouldn´t the noun meaning rather have a plural since the two words to be explained don´t have the same meaning.
2) When I put it into the plural, wouldn´t it sound as if I had asked to explain the various secondary meanings (sub-meanings: literal and figurative)?
How to get out of the dilemma? To render the intended sense, what more adequate dubbing can you think of? What about this one: Could you explain the difference in meaning between the two words road and avenue?