J jkl Member Joined Nov 28, 2007 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Portuguese Home Country Canada Current Location Canada Jul 26, 2011 #1 It took me to task. Is it possible to write the above sentence with the "it"? Does it have any meaning at all? Thanks.
It took me to task. Is it possible to write the above sentence with the "it"? Does it have any meaning at all? Thanks.
S SoothingDave VIP Member Joined Apr 17, 2009 Member Type Interested in Language Native Language American English Home Country United States Current Location United States Jul 26, 2011 #2 No. Someone, not something, takes you to task. A boss or a wife, for example.
Huda-M Senior Member Joined Aug 7, 2008 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Urdu Home Country Pakistan Current Location Pakistan Jul 26, 2011 #3 SoothingDave said: No. Someone, not something, takes you to task. A boss or a wife, for example. Click to expand... w\What if he's referring to some action or job?? Or some duty given to someone?? In that case the use of 'it' seems fine to me....:-| I'm not a teacher..........!!
SoothingDave said: No. Someone, not something, takes you to task. A boss or a wife, for example. Click to expand... w\What if he's referring to some action or job?? Or some duty given to someone?? In that case the use of 'it' seems fine to me....:-| I'm not a teacher..........!!
S SoothingDave VIP Member Joined Apr 17, 2009 Member Type Interested in Language Native Language American English Home Country United States Current Location United States Jul 26, 2011 #4 "To take someone to task" is to severely criticize them. That requires a person, not a thing. take to task - Idioms - by the Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
"To take someone to task" is to severely criticize them. That requires a person, not a thing. take to task - Idioms - by the Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
J jkl Member Thread starter Joined Nov 28, 2007 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Portuguese Home Country Canada Current Location Canada Jul 27, 2011 #5 SoothingDave said: "To take someone to task" is to severely criticize them. That requires a person, not a thing. take to task - Idioms - by the Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia. Click to expand... Can an annimal take him to task? Dog (it) took him to task.
SoothingDave said: "To take someone to task" is to severely criticize them. That requires a person, not a thing. take to task - Idioms - by the Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia. Click to expand... Can an annimal take him to task? Dog (it) took him to task.
S SoothingDave VIP Member Joined Apr 17, 2009 Member Type Interested in Language Native Language American English Home Country United States Current Location United States Jul 27, 2011 #6 If the animal is criticizing you, then maybe. It seems to stretch the idea of personifying a dog. A dog may be disappointed in you, but I don't think he would take you to task.
If the animal is criticizing you, then maybe. It seems to stretch the idea of personifying a dog. A dog may be disappointed in you, but I don't think he would take you to task.