I idiotmike Member Joined Jul 16, 2009 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Chinese Home Country China Current Location China Aug 24, 2011 #1 Dear teacher, I just want to confirm that when somebody says " it is hardly unexpected" does he actually mean that "it is expected"? Thank you
Dear teacher, I just want to confirm that when somebody says " it is hardly unexpected" does he actually mean that "it is expected"? Thank you
bhaisahab Moderator Staff member Joined Apr 12, 2008 Member Type Retired English Teacher Native Language British English Home Country England Current Location Ireland Aug 24, 2011 #2 idiotmike said: Dear teacher, I just want to confirm that when somebody says " it is hardly unexpected" does he actually mean that "it is expected"? Thank you Click to expand... Yes, more or less..
idiotmike said: Dear teacher, I just want to confirm that when somebody says " it is hardly unexpected" does he actually mean that "it is expected"? Thank you Click to expand... Yes, more or less..
5jj Moderator Staff member Joined Oct 14, 2010 Member Type English Teacher Native Language British English Home Country Czech Republic Current Location Czech Republic Aug 24, 2011 #3 What a useful expression 'more or less' is. It's the perfect answer for some of the questions we receive.
What a useful expression 'more or less' is. It's the perfect answer for some of the questions we receive.
birdeen's call VIP Member Joined Jul 15, 2010 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Polish Home Country Poland Current Location Poland Aug 24, 2011 #4 I decided against replying to this question because I didn't know how not to use this expression. :-D
I decided against replying to this question because I didn't know how not to use this expression. :-D
5jj Moderator Staff member Joined Oct 14, 2010 Member Type English Teacher Native Language British English Home Country Czech Republic Current Location Czech Republic Aug 24, 2011 #5 birdeen's call said: I decided against replying to this question because I didn't know how not to use this expression. :-D Click to expand... We Brits are not unknown for our not infrequent reluctance to avoid the opportunity of using litotes when the chips are not exactly up.
birdeen's call said: I decided against replying to this question because I didn't know how not to use this expression. :-D Click to expand... We Brits are not unknown for our not infrequent reluctance to avoid the opportunity of using litotes when the chips are not exactly up.
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 Aug 24, 2011 #6 Litotes? What a fabulous word. George Carlin once quipped that answering "How are you?" with "I'm not unwell, thank you" really ticks people off cause you force them to have to figure it out for themselves.
Litotes? What a fabulous word. George Carlin once quipped that answering "How are you?" with "I'm not unwell, thank you" really ticks people off cause you force them to have to figure it out for themselves.
5jj Moderator Staff member Joined Oct 14, 2010 Member Type English Teacher Native Language British English Home Country Czech Republic Current Location Czech Republic Aug 24, 2011 #7 SoothingDave said: Litotes? What a fabulous word. Click to expand... I am disinclined to disagree with you.
SoothingDave said: Litotes? What a fabulous word. Click to expand... I am disinclined to disagree with you.