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Subject:
Using right words, idioms and phrases
Category: Reference, Education and News > Teaching and Research Asked by: agk123-ga List Price: $5.00 |
Posted:
30 Sep 2006 15:44 PDT
Expires: 30 Oct 2006 14:44 PST Question ID: 769776 |
Although I can speak and write good English, I am not a native English speaker. Many times, I struggle to use the exact words and phrases that will describe and convey what I want to say. I am looking for some resources on the internet where given the situation or description of the feeling/message-to-be-conveyed, it will give me the right word or phrase ..Can someone help me with this ? |
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There is no answer at this time. |
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Subject:
Re: Using right words, idioms and phrases
From: mikewa-ga on 02 Oct 2006 13:19 PDT |
I doubt if there is a single solution, other than spending a lot of time with native English speakers. I have offten been asked by non-Englishh speaking friends to explain why I use one phrase as opposed to another (very similar) phrase. After trying to come up with a rule I often have no answer other than "it feels right". This is probably based on years of hearing other people using one of the two, and learning that this is the right one. |
Subject:
Re: Using right words, idioms and phrases
From: myoarin-ga on 02 Oct 2006 14:01 PDT |
I think Mikewa is right, based on my own experience as a native English speaker living in a foreign country. On the other hand, just from the few lines of your question, I expect that you are already doing very well, probably taking more care with your English than many, many native speakers do. |
Subject:
Re: Using right words, idioms and phrases
From: agk123-ga on 02 Oct 2006 22:24 PDT |
myoarin, You are correct. I can generally write and speak good English.. Basically, my effort here is to polish it up and to use the best words and phrases.... |
Subject:
Re: Using right words, idioms and phrases
From: ivorytowers-ga on 13 Oct 2006 15:42 PDT |
I'm a linguist, studying on language acquisition. Of course it's almost impossible to reach a native-like level in all 4 skills. What you have to do is to practice (if you can find any native speakers around you). The most important thing to do is to read (especially the British Literature besides grammar books). Grammar books can only give you the form of the language, NOT THE USE.. I have just uploaded a zipped language set for you (20 English Learning e-books, in which you can find anything you need, including idioms and phrasal verbs). I'm sure they'll be good references for you, but do no forget to read the literatue. Good luck!! Here's the link: http://rapidshare.de/files/36640725/20_english-learning_ebooks.rar.html |
Subject:
Re: Using right words, idioms and phrases
From: agk123-ga on 21 Oct 2006 18:32 PDT |
ivorytowers-ga , Thank you very much. Unfortunately, I could not download the file..it says that the file has been deleted. Can you please upload it one more time. Thank you |
Subject:
Re: Using right words, idioms and phrases
From: keystroke-ga on 27 Oct 2006 09:59 PDT |
There is something called the "American Idiom Dictionary" that is the opposite of what you want-- it lists American idioms and tells what they mean. Since I'm not sure there's a tool that does what you want, this dictionary could help you. You could study it a bit every day and learn what the different idioms mean and then when you need to use them, you'd already know! I know it's not as handy as what you describe, but it could be useful nonetheless. |
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