[General] My score is a 6 at most.

[Silverobama]

Hi.

Someone thinks that the score of my spoken English in IELTS (9 is the top score) should be 6.5. Then I said to him "My score is a 6 at most".

Is my italic sentence natural? I actually said three sentences, but I don't know which one is good.

1) My score is a 6 at most.
2) My score is a 6 at best.
3) My score is a 6 to say the most.

Please help me with that.

 

[jutfrank]

Use 2.

1 isn't good and 3 is completely wrong. You could also say at the highest, but at best is better.

 

[Silverobama]

2) My score is a 6 at best.

One more question, much appreciated, jutfrank. I think "a" is necessary in my sentence but I can't explain why. Would you please tell me?

 

[jutfrank]

I think "a" is necessary in my sentence but I can't explain why. Would you please tell me?

It's fine with or without it.

I'll try to explain this very quickly: When you use a, you're seeing the score as a discrete thing, which is quite appropriate in the case of IELTS bands. When you don't use a, you're seeing the score as a numerical value.

 

[Tdol]

Can't you get a bit higher? ;-)

 

[Silverobama]

Can't you get a bit higher? ;-)

I study English every day, Tdol. The biggest problem for me is that I am not a native speaker but I work very hard. I want to get a higher score, say, 8.5, with 10 years. So, wish me good luck.

I've been pestering teachers here for a long time but I have no place to learn idiomatic English. Yes, WR is a good place, but I also love this forum.

In China, teachers of English, only a few of them, continue to learn English after graduation. But I won't stop learning it till I die because I love it.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I study English every day, Tdol. The biggest problem for me is that I am not a native speaker, but I work very hard.

Without a comma, it means your problem is that you work hard.

I want to get a higher score, say, 8.5, with 10 years. So, wish me good luck.

I've been pestering teachers here for a long time but I have no place to learn idiomatic English.

1. I haven't noticed you pestering anyone. You ask very reasonable questions. You're who we're here for!

2. Don't books and movies help?

Yes, WR is a good place, but I also love this forum.

In China, teachers of English, only a few of them, continue to learn English after graduation. But I won't stop learning it till I die because I love it.

Just keep at it. It takes a long time.