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talk about something something?

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Heidi

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Apr 30, 2009
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Dear friends,

I heard people say "talk about something something", as in the following dialogue. Is it a correct or good usage? Thank you.

A: The islands act as a barrier, separating smaller bodies of water from the rough Atlantic Ocean.

B: We talk about something a barrier, that means a block against something. These islands actually work blocking water from crossing into the Atlantic.
 

Gillnetter

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Dear friends,

I heard people say "talk about something something", as in the following dialogue. Is it a correct or good usage? Thank you.

A: The islands act as a barrier, separating smaller bodies of water from the rough Atlantic Ocean.

B: We talk about something as a barrier, that means they are a block against something. These islands actually work by blocking water from crossing into the Atlantic.
Aside from the fact that the statements are not factual, sentence B is now correct.
She had that certain something which attracted people.
There was something in the way, something that stopped the wind.

Something is used when you either are not sure of what a thing is or you do not want to define it.

Here is something you will like. The price is something less than $500.00.
 

Heidi

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Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Taiwan
Current Location
Taiwan
Gillnetter, thank you so much for your correctness.

The following dialogue is what I heard when the same person B was trying to explain the word 'wild'.

(talking about North Carolina's Outer Banks in class)
A: Today people travel to this eastern coastal region to experience for themselves the wild beauty found along these famous shores.
B: If we talk about something being wild, it means...

I have a few questions, perhaps the answers are exactly like what you have given me, please help to see if I understand them completely. Thank you!

1. Instead of saying "if we talk about something being wild, it means ...", maybe it'll be better to say "if we talk about something as being wild, it means..."?

2. Perhaps we could also say "if we describe something as being wild, it means..."?

3. But when we say something like "if we talk about something wild", then the focus is a little bit different, we put our attention more on that something which is wild. Is this correct?
 
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