Z Zoli Member Joined Feb 24, 2015 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Hungarian Home Country Hungary Current Location Romania Nov 15, 2023 #1 Does the question 'Are you still into photography these days?' require 'these days,' or is it understood without mentioning it?
Does the question 'Are you still into photography these days?' require 'these days,' or is it understood without mentioning it?
probus Moderator Staff member Joined Jan 7, 2011 Member Type Retired English Teacher Native Language English Home Country Canada Current Location Canada Nov 15, 2023 #2 To me "these days" is purely optional and does not alter the meaning. I'd omit it for the sake of brevity.
To me "these days" is purely optional and does not alter the meaning. I'd omit it for the sake of brevity.
P Piscean Senior Member Joined Jul 12, 2015 Member Type Retired English Teacher Native Language British English Home Country Europe Current Location Czech Republic Nov 15, 2023 #3 Zoli said: Does the question 'Are you still into photography these days?' require 'these days,' or is it understood without mentioning it? Click to expand... For me, the difference between: 1a. Are you still into photography these days? and 1b. Are you still into photography? is similar to the difference between. 2a. Are you still working as a photograper? and 2b. Do you still work as a photograper? The a versions direct (slightly) more attention to the limited duration of the activity than the b versions.
Zoli said: Does the question 'Are you still into photography these days?' require 'these days,' or is it understood without mentioning it? Click to expand... For me, the difference between: 1a. Are you still into photography these days? and 1b. Are you still into photography? is similar to the difference between. 2a. Are you still working as a photograper? and 2b. Do you still work as a photograper? The a versions direct (slightly) more attention to the limited duration of the activity than the b versions.
T tedmc VIP Member Joined Apr 16, 2014 Member Type Interested in Language Native Language Chinese Home Country Malaysia Current Location Malaysia Nov 16, 2023 #4 I think "these days" highlights "the present/current time" as a matter of days. Last edited: Nov 16, 2023