[General] No trouble at all

[Silverobama]

Hi,

Ed is a native speaker and a friend of mine as well. He likes Chinese culture. The other day he sent me a picture. There were some characters on a jade. Then he asked me what those characters mean. I then asked some of my friends this because those characters were ancient Chinese characters. After working for a whole afternoon, he said "thank you very much" to me and he said "brought so much trouble to me", I said:

No trouble at all.

Is my answer natural?

 

[Tarheel]

Yes, your answer was quite natural. However, I think you meant to say he apologized for causing you so much trouble.

(It's 10:27 PM here. What time is it there?)

 

[Silverobama]

Yes, your answer was quite natural. However, I think you meant to say he apologized for causing you so much trouble.

(It's 10:27 PM here. What time is it there?)

No, he was being polite. I think he kind of wanted to apologize for causing the trouble (me asking around for help) but als he needs to "sorry for the trouble" because he needed to show his respect.

It's 4:19 PM here. I am sorry for the delay.

 

[Tarheel]

No, he was being polite. I think he kind of wanted to apologize for causing the trouble (me asking around for help) but als he needs to "sorry for the trouble" because he needed to show his respect.

It's 4:19 PM here. I am sorry for the delay.

Yes, he didn't realize how much trouble you would have to go to. (He's not Chinese.)

Stick to short sentences for the time being.

(It's exactly a twelve hour difference.)

 

[Tarheel]

Hi,

Ed is a native speaker and a friend of mine as well. He likes Chinese culture. The other day he sent me a picture. There were some characters on a jade. (A jade what?) He asked me what those characters mean. I then asked some of my friends this because those characters are ancient Chinese characters. After working for a whole afternoon, he said "thank you very much" to me and he said "brought so much trouble to me", I said:

No trouble at all.

Is my answer natural?

That sentence ("After working ....") says he worked for a whole afternoon, which I'm sure you didn't mean.

Did he apologize for having brought you so much trouble or for causing you so much trouble?

If you make your sentences shorter not only will you make yourself clearer (easier to understand), but also it will be easier to correct the mistakes.

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi,

Ed is a native speaker and a friend of mine. [STRIKE]as well[/STRIKE] He likes Chinese culture. The other day he sent me a picture [STRIKE]. There were[/STRIKE] of some characters on a piece of jade [STRIKE]. Then he[/STRIKE] and asked me what those characters mean. I [STRIKE]then[/STRIKE] asked some of my friends [STRIKE]this[/STRIKE] because [STRIKE]those characters[/STRIKE] they were ancient Chinese characters. After working for a whole afternoon, he said "Thank you very much" to me and he said he had "brought so much trouble to me". I said "No trouble at all".

Is my answer natural?

Please note my changes above.

Yes, your answer is natural although (as I'm sure you know) it's not a complete sentence. The full sentence would be "It was no trouble at all".

You enclosed "brought so much trouble to me" in quotation marks, suggesting that those were the words he said. That doesn't make sense. I think he probably said something like "I'm sorry that I brought so much trouble to you". Is that right?

 

[Silverobama]

First of all, thank you so much! I am grateful for the help you've provided! Sincerely!

Answers to questions above:

To Tarheel:

That sentence ("After working ....") says he worked for a whole afternoon, which I'm sure you didn't mean.

I was the one who worked for the whole afternoon. I asked my friends around to see if they knew something about the pictures and characters. Some of they did know something. :-D

A jade piece of what? Stone, perhaps. The picture wasn't clear at all and now I can't see it because it was deleted. When jade is used as a noun, it just means a jade stone. That's why I wrote "a jade".

Did he apologize for having brought you so much trouble or for causing you so much trouble?

If you make your sentences shorter not only will you make yourself clearer (easier to understand), but also it will be easier to correct the mistakes.

I'll try, Tarheel. If memory serves, you told me three times. I really want to shorten my sentences, but I think I am used to using long sentences. But, I will try my best to change my writing style.

He just said "Sorry for causing the trouble".

To Emsr2d2:

Please note my changes above.

Yes, your answer is natural although (as I'm sure you know) it's not a complete sentence. The full sentence would be "It was no trouble at all".

You enclosed "brought so much trouble to me" in quotation marks, suggesting that those were the words he said. That doesn't make sense. I think he probably said something like "I'm sorry that I brought so much trouble to you". Is that right?

I always pay close attention to your corrections, Emsr2d2. They are not only helpful but also meaningful to a student like me. Because you've gone out of your way to help me.

Yes, the full sentence starts with "It was...."

Yes, he said "I'm sorry that I brought so much trouble to you" to me.

 

[Tarheel]

It can be hard to respond to a post with so much in it, but I'll try. See below.

I was the one who worked the whole afternoon.

I am aware of that. I was talking about the way the sentence was phrased (badly). The sentence was worded in a way to say something the writer (you) didn't intend to say.

Thanks for telling me it was a picture of jade. I had been wondering about that.

I'm sure she won't mind if you call her Ems. (I always do.)

That's all for now.

Just one more thing, Silver. In case you haven't figured it out, I have made you my special project.

:-D

 

[Silverobama]

Just one more thing, Silver. In case you haven't figured it out, I have made you my special project.

Thank you so much, Tarheel.

What is a "special project"?

 

[Tarheel]

It means I make extra effort to help you as much as I can. You are special. And you are my project -- a special one.

Following is a link to my favorite online dictionary. Try it first, then if you still have questions, ask them.

www.dictionary.com

 

[Silverobama]

It means I make extra effort to help you as much as I can. You are special. And you are my project -- a special one.

Following is a link to my favorite online dictionary. Try it first, then if you still have questions, ask them.

www.dictionary.com

I used this dictionary for more than a decade. My spoken English teacher Prostak gave me when he was still in China.

Anyway, thank you so much for your kindness. It's always a pleasure learning things from you.

 

[Tarheel]

I have used this dictionary for more than a decade. My spoken English teacher Prostak told me about it when he was still in China.

Anyway, thank you so much for your kindness. It's always a pleasure learning things from you.

No trouble at all.