vectra
Member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2005
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- Russian
- Home Country
- Ukraine
- Current Location
- Ukraine
Hello,
Commenting on the article Can smartphones be used in class for learning? | tweentribune.com, one of my students wrote:
Well, to my mind this issue is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, smartphones can definitely help students in studying and provide them with fast, diverse and useful information. Furthermore, there are a lot of useful applications in smartphones such as: dictionaries, vocabulary lists, books, which can increase the level of students' proficiency. However, on the other hand, these gadgets can only distract students' attention from studying by providing them with different games and access to social sites.
I am curious about the expression 'a double-edged sword'.
I do understand its meaning and here is an example I have found in the press:
In any case, Chevrolet's tremendous showing is a mixed blessing. ‘It's a double-edged sword,’ commented one Detroit expert. (‘Newsweek’)
Isn't it better to use 'a mixed blessing' instead? It seems to me 'a double-edged sword' sounds too pompous in this context.
Thank you for your time and help.
Commenting on the article Can smartphones be used in class for learning? | tweentribune.com, one of my students wrote:
Well, to my mind this issue is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, smartphones can definitely help students in studying and provide them with fast, diverse and useful information. Furthermore, there are a lot of useful applications in smartphones such as: dictionaries, vocabulary lists, books, which can increase the level of students' proficiency. However, on the other hand, these gadgets can only distract students' attention from studying by providing them with different games and access to social sites.
I am curious about the expression 'a double-edged sword'.
I do understand its meaning and here is an example I have found in the press:
In any case, Chevrolet's tremendous showing is a mixed blessing. ‘It's a double-edged sword,’ commented one Detroit expert. (‘Newsweek’)
Isn't it better to use 'a mixed blessing' instead? It seems to me 'a double-edged sword' sounds too pompous in this context.
Thank you for your time and help.
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