correct usage of the words

[Tan Elaine]

I visited a couple's house at a roadside in Sri Lanka. It was very small, dirty, hot, and noisy; it looked like a garage.

When I visited another house one day to talk to the residents, I was surprised that it was the house of the couple I mention above. I asked them how they could afford to buy such a big house. The husband told me that a very rich man came to see him and requested to exchange his tiny house, including the land, with his three-storey house for the reason only the rich man knows. The poor man agreed and the deal was done.

Now there were no worries about their financial difficulties. Their lives were totally changed

1) Is 'at the roadside' correct or should it be 'by the roadside'?

2) Is 'done' correct? I think 'sealed' is the appropriate word.

3) Is the sentence in bold natural? If not, how should it be rephrased?

4) Should it be "Their life was..."?

5) Are there any errors in the paragraph?

Thanks.

 

[5jj]

I visited a couple's house at a roadside in Sri Lanka. It was very small, dirty, hot, and noisy; it looked like a garage.

When I visited another house one day to talk to the residents, I was surprised that it was the house of the couple I mentioned above. I asked them how they could afford to buy such a big house. The husband told me that a very rich man came (had come?) to see him and requested to exchange his tiny house, including the land, [STRIKE]with[/STRIKE] for his three-storey house, for [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] a reason (only the rich man knows) known only to the rich man. The poor man agreed and the deal was done.

1) Is 'at the roadside' correct or should it be 'by the roadside'? I'd use 'by the roadside' or 'at the side of a road'.
2) Is 'done' correct? It's widely used.
I think 'sealed' is the appropriate word. Probably inappropriate. I doubt if there was any sealing, or even signing. It might well have been just a handshake. 'Done' covers all possibilities.

3) Are there any errors in the paragraph? I've marked them.

Thanks.

5

 

[Tan Elaine]

Many thanks for your corrections and comments, Fivejedjon.

 

[SoothingDave]

Now there were no worries about their financial difficulties.

"Now there were no worries about their financial situation."

or

"Now there were no financial worries ."

(I guess they don't have property tax?)

 

[Tan Elaine]

Hi Fivejedjon

I visited a couple's house at a roadside in Sri Lanka.

The original phrase is 'at a roadside'. Would it be wrong if I write 'by a roadside' since the roadside was not mentioned earlier?

Sorry to trouble you again.

Thanks.

 

[Tan Elaine]

Thanks, SoothingDave.

Now there were no worries about their financial difficulties. Their lives were totally changed.

Should it be "Their life was totally changed" instead of "Their lives were..."?

 

[Tan Elaine]

Hi Fivejedjon and SoothingDave

I hope the various posts are not confusing as they have criss-crossed. I look forward to hearing from both of you.

Thanks.

 

[5jj]

The original phrase is 'at a roadside'. Would it be wrong if I write 'by a roadside' since the roadside was not mentioned earlier?

It's probably OK, though for me, 'by the roadside' is an expression that does not have to imply earlier mention; it's like 'in the street', 'on the pavement'. 'By a roadside' leaves me waiting for 'hotel' or some such word.

 

[SoothingDave]

Thanks, SoothingDave.

Now there were no worries about their financial difficulties. Their lives were totally changed.

Should it be "Their life was totally changed" instead of "Their lives were..."?

"Their lives" is good. There are two of them.

 

[Tan Elaine]

Hi Fivejedjon and SoothingDave

Your replies are deeply appreciated.