Mannysteps
Member
- Joined
- May 23, 2011
- Member Type
- Interested in Language
- Native Language
- Portuguese
- Home Country
- Portugal
- Current Location
- Portugal
Hello, all,
I am somewhat confused. Having checked my dictionaries, they all agree that "somewhat" is a synonym of "something". The following example is taken from The American Heritage Dictionary:
"The news was somewhat of a surprise."
Meaning:
"The news was something of a surprise."
[FONT="]However, I was told that it is not correct to say:[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]“The speaker is somewhat of a patronizing character.”[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]And that I should say:[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]“The speaker is something of a patronizing character.”[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Could anyone throw some light on this, please? I’d be most grateful.[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]M.[/FONT]
I am somewhat confused. Having checked my dictionaries, they all agree that "somewhat" is a synonym of "something". The following example is taken from The American Heritage Dictionary:
"The news was somewhat of a surprise."
Meaning:
"The news was something of a surprise."
[FONT="]However, I was told that it is not correct to say:[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]“The speaker is somewhat of a patronizing character.”[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]And that I should say:[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]“The speaker is something of a patronizing character.”[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Could anyone throw some light on this, please? I’d be most grateful.[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]M.[/FONT]