You must be more motivated.

Status
Not open for further replies.

keannu

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Korean
Home Country
South Korea
Current Location
South Korea
a is the answer for this question, but my student asked me if d could be an answer, but I said because of comparison of "more motivated", it can't be an answer. Maybe "You must motivated" can be an answer, but I'm not sure, What do you think?

M:I'm studying for tomorrow's exam. I can't slack off
W:________a________
a.Keep your nose to the grindstone
b.Provided it's part of the lecture notes.
c.Ask a classmate to explain the material
d.You must be more motivated.
 
Last edited:
a is the answer for this question, but my student asked me if d could be an answer, but I said because of comparison of "more motivated", it can't be an answer. Maybe "You must motivated" can be an answer, but I'm not sure, What do you think?

M:I'm studying for tomorrow's exam. I can't slack off
W:________a________
a.Keep your nose to the grindstone
b.Provided it's part of the lecture notes.
c.Ask a classmate to explain the material
d.You must be more motivated.

"Keep your nose to the grindstone" is an informal expression. It means "to work in earnest". So I don't think d can be an answer.

'a ' isthe answer to this question.
You like 'but' so much.

not a native speaker; not a teacher;
 
"Keep your nose to the grindstone" is an informal expression. It means "to work in earnest". So I don't think d can be an answer.

'a ' isthe answer to this question.
You like 'but' so much.

not a native speaker; not a teacher;
There must be another reason why d can't be an answer.
 
Clearly the student IS motivated. He has just said he's studying and can't slack off.

A: I'm in the midst of a 5-mile walk.
B1: Youl should get more exercise. -- Does that make sense?
B2: Keep on going! -- That makes sense.

In your examples, D would be like B1. Why tell someone they need more motivation when they are right in the midst of doing what needs to be done? A is like B2 - a word of encouragement to keep at it.
 
Clearly the student IS motivated. He has just said he's studying and can't slack off.

A: I'm in the midst of a 5-mile walk.
B1: Youl should get more exercise. -- Does that make sense?
B2: Keep on going! -- That makes sense.

In your examples, D would be like B1. Why tell someone they need more motivation when they are right in the midst of doing what needs to be done? A is like B2 - a word of encouragement to keep at it.

Does this "must" mean "obligation(have to)" or "certainty" in this context?

M:I'm studying for tomorrow's exam. I can't slack off
d.You must be more motivated.
 
Obligation. LIke the "should in my example.

If it was a certainty, it the "more" wouldn't make sense.

You must be a very motivated student! -- THAT would make sense, because I'm commenting that based on my observation of you, it's the only logical conclusion. You're studying hard, you're obviously self motivated.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ask a Teacher

If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know:

(Requires Registration)
Back
Top