terrible with/at?

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Tedwonny

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I've heard some teachers say she's terrible with names but some say terrible at...

which's correct?
thanks
 

5jj

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I've heard some teachers say "she's terrible with names" but some say "terrible at..."

which[STRIKE]'s[/STRIKE] is correct? We don't contract 'is' after 'which'.
Both are acceptable.
 

Raymott

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5jj is right, but you can't generalise that beyond names.

I'm terrible at chess/dancing... (Not 'with')
I'm terrible with women/animals... (Not 'at')
 

Tedwonny

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thanks

So, it's more like
at + things/activities you're bad at, say I'm terrible at Maths/sports....

with + things/activities is not so direct, say, I'm terrible with names = I'm terrible at memorizing/recalling the names of my students.

Is that right?
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Raymott

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thanks

So, it's more like
at + things/activities you're bad at, say I'm terrible at Maths/sports....

with + things/activities is not so direct, say, I'm terrible with names = I'm terrible at memorizing/recalling the names of my students.

Is that right?
thanks
Yes.
 
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