a couple of questions

[silviasabater_2000]

Hi there,

I would like to know if this sentence is right:
"You can make a good use of this book when you write compositions" or perhaps should be: "You can make a good use of this book when writing your compositions".
Is it possible to say that a "person is secure of himself/herself" in the sense that is a confident person?

Thanks

 

[RonBee]

Say:

You can make good use of this book when writing compositions. (Don't use the indefinite article ("a").)
​

The expression is:

sure of himself
​

 

[2006]

Hi there,

I would like to know if this sentence is right:
"You can make a good use of this book when you write compositions" or perhaps should be: "You can make a good use of this book when writing your compositions".
1...Don't use "a"; in these sentences; here "use" is not countable.
2...You don't need "your" in the second sentence.
3...Otherwise, both sentences are fine. You can make good use of this book when (you write)(writing) compositions.
But I prefer "writing" because it sounds more natural.

Is it possible to say that a "person is secure of himself/herself" in the sense that is a confident person?
'secure in' is the usual phrase. Secure in the knowledge that his wife's income could support their family, he chose to quit his job and pursue his dream of becoming an artist.

We usually say that a person is 'confident in himself/herself'. As "secure" can mean 'confident', I suppose one can say "secure in himself/herself". But it is much more common to hear 'confident in himself/herself'.
Thanks

2006

 

[2006]

Yes, "sure of himself/herself" and "confident in himself/herself" are most commonly said.