('as............as' structure)

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Mehrgan

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Hi there,

How can I correct the following sentence?


Learning a foreign language had best be started at as early as primary levels as possible.

Learning a foreign language had best be started at as early levels as primary ones. (?!)
 
J

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You say you want to correct one sentence, yet you provide two. I guess the second one might be your attempt, but it's not quite clear.

Also, it's helpful to number your sentence(s) for reference by responders.


One hint: learning (uncountable, so singular), level (countable), and one (countable) are all nouns that should agree in number.
 

Tarheel

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Say:

Learning a foreign language had best be started as early as primary levels.
 

Matthew Wai

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How about '... started early at the primary level'?
 

Tarheel

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Humans are most receptive to language learning in early childhood.
 

Tdol

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How about '... started early at the primary level'?

It's changing the meaning slightly, as it sounds like you mean near the start of the primary level, rather than at some point during the level.
 

Matthew Wai

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How about '... started early, i.e. at the primary level'?
 

emsr2d2

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I wouldn't use "had best be started".

Learning a language is best started at primary school [age].
 

Osbri

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Or you can say "Learning foreign languages best/should be started at early levels as primary levels."

I don't know if people think I'm wrong.
 

Tarheel

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Or you can say "Learning foreign languages best/should be started at early levels as primary levels."

I don't know if people think I'm wrong.

Learning a foreign language should best be started as early as at primary levels.
 

Mehrgan

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Learning a foreign language should best be started as early as at primary levels.


And that's what I was looking for! Thanks a lot!


And, just to make it clear enough for myself, would the sentence below be considered wrong?

"Learning a foreign language should best be started at as early as primary levels."
 

Tarheel

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And that's what I was looking for! Thanks a lot!


And, just to make it clear enough for myself, would the sentence below be considered wrong?

"Learning a foreign language should best be started at as early as primary levels."

That's good.
 
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