Peter came into the room

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Bassim

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I am wondering if these sentences are correct. Please would you correct my mistakes.

Peter came into the room furious like a tiger. He looked as if he was going to tear everyone apart.
 

Tdol

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furious like a tiger - this is not a standard expression and doesn't work well for me. How about something like in a rage?
 
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Bassim

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Could I writer instead
Peter came into the room furious like a frustrated tiger. He looked as if he was going to tear everyone apart.
 

emsr2d2

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Tdol already said that "furious like a tiger" is not a standard phrase. Why do you think that "furious like a frustrated tiger" would be any more likely to be standard?

Tigers aren't always furious and I'm not sure they're even capable of being frustrated!

If he was "snarling like an angry lion" or something, you could get away with it but neither of your suggestions is natural.
 
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MikeNewYork

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Thanks for sticking up for tigers. They are magnificent creatures.
 

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Just don't frustrate them.
 

MikeNewYork

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I have personally treated four tigers. One was 960 pounds. It is difficult to describe the feeling.
 

Rover_KE

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Note to newbies: Mike is a veterinarian. He doesn't mean he bought them drinks.

See also 'Memoirs of a Tiger Tamer' by Claude Johnson.
 

MikeNewYork

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:lol::lol::lol:
 

Tdol

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Did you buy them drinks after treating them? ;-)
 

MikeNewYork

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No. Cow legs. ;-)
 

Charlie Bernstein

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I am wondering if these sentences are correct. Would you please correct my mistakes?

Peter came into the room furious as a tiger. He looked as if he were going to tear everyone apart.

The word like is almost right, but not quite. Use as. It shows that you're comparing: How furious? As furious as a tiger.

There was no real danger that Peter would tear everyone apart, so it's an imaginary comparison, not a real possibility. When it's just imaginary, say were, not was:

- If I were you, I'd watch it.
- If it were Sunday, I'd be sleeping.


The word if is sometimes a signal that it's an imaginary situation.
 

Bassim

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Charlie,
Thank you for your good explanation. I really appreciate it.
 

MikeNewYork

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