[Grammar] that + adjective

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ha179

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I just want to know whether the above structure exists :)
For example: How could you do it that easy/quick?
I remember hearing a similar sentence, but I'm not very sure :)
 

Soup

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Re: How could you do it that easy/quick?
_____________________

The phrase 'that easy' is another way of saying as easy as that:


  • How could you do it as easy as that? / as easily as that?
  • How could you do it that easy? / that easily?
 

engee30

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I just want to know whether the above structure exists :)
For example: How could you do it that easy/quick?
I remember hearing a similar sentence, but I'm not very sure :)

♥♦♣♠ NOT A TEACHER ♥♦♣♠
That + adjective is similar to so + adjective, and yes - this structure exists, especially in informal use, for emphasis.
 

Nightmare85

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Is it also correct to say:
How could you do it so easy?
:?:

I thought so and that were interchangeable here.

Cheers!
 

5jj

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Is it also correct to say:
How could you do it so easy?

I thought so and that were interchangeable here.
With both so and that I consider only the adverb correct:

How could you do it so easily?
How could you do it that easily?
 

Nightmare85

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Oh, you're right.

So in these examples both so and that are correct?
Don't be that silly.
Don't be so silly.

(You heard he was sick, but you're not sure if he's so/that sick:)
Is he really that sick?
Is he really so sick?

(Someone says, "They play very fast", and you ask this question:)
Can they play so fast?
Can they play that fast?


Cheers!
 

5jj

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So in these examples both so and that are correct?
Don't be that silly......Don't be so silly.

(You heard he was sick, but you're not sure if he's so/that sick:)
Is he really that sick?.....Is he really so sick?

(Someone says, "They play very fast", and you ask this question:)
Can they play so fast?.....Can they play that fast?
Both are acceptable in all three. Some people would go for one, and some for the other - it's a personal choice.
 

ha179

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So can both adjective and adverb be used in this structure?
Can someone give me the final answer?
 

Soup

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So can both adjective and adverb be used in this structure?
Can someone give me the final answer?
It depends on the dialect. North American speakers, for example, are known for dropping the -ly; e.g., How could you do it that/so quick(ly)? Whether or not it is considered good form depends on who you ask. In formal contexts (exams, essays, formal speeches, and so on) keeping the -ly (quickly) wouldn't hurt.
 

Rover_KE

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Can someone give me the final answer?

If you mean the definitive answer, ha179, you'll find that in English, there rarely is one, for the reasons that Soup has listed.

Rover
 
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