can be seen or are showing

[tufguy]

Hi guys,

If we want to say that somebody's chest hair are exposed, then we can say " His chest hair can be seen" but if we want to say this in direct speech, then what we have to say, do we need to say " His chest hair are seen or chest hair are showing"? I hope, I have used the correct expression in the sentence " chest hair Are exposed", Please tell me the correct form.

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

"Chest hair" is uncountable and takes the singular. "His chest hair is showing."

If you mean individual hairs and not the hair considered as a whole then it is countable and takes the plural. "His chest hairs are showing."

To say that someone's chest hair is showing would imply that it shouldn't normally be visible but it is. If someone were bare-chested then their chest hair would simply be visible/on show/on display/ and so on.

 

[tufguy]

If we are using this expression like "chest hair are showing"= "chest hair can be seen", so what does "I am showing" means, as far as I know it means "I can see", could you please explain the difference.

 

[Rover_KE]

'His chest hair is showing' is a stand-alone sentence meaning 'His chest hair is visible'.

'I am showing' is not a stand-alone sentence and is not used in the same way.

 

[tufguy]

so, what does "I am showing" mean, and 1 more question, we can use it in any context like "His teared socks are showing" or " His underwear is showing". Please do not get angry on my dumbness.

 

[Rover_KE]

'I am showing' doesn't mean anything.

'His torn socks are showing' and 'His underwear is showing' are fine.

 

[tufguy]

But I have heard Americans say this "I am showing", are you an American?

 

[Rover_KE]

Click on my Member Info and you'll see that I'm not an American.

In what context or circumstances have you heard Americans say this?

It means nothing as a stand-alone sentence. You could say it to a stranger standing next to you at a bus stop and he'd have no idea what you were talking about. But point to a cyclist riding by and say 'His underwear is showing' and you would be understood.

 

[jwstesol]

I have never heard of the phrase chest hairs or chest hair being used in the British or American English language. How about "Hairy chest. " showing a hairy chest or "exposing his hairy chest".

 

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forums, jwstesol.:-D

Both phrases are very common, actually.

Click here to read examples, then change 'hair' to 'hairs' in the search box.

Your alternatives are fine, too.

 

[tufguy]

Actually I have heard this phrase "I am showing that there are no records of member or the member has made some payment", so is it correct to say?

 

[bhaisahab]

Not for me, no.