A cat is happy on its own

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Angliholic  #452747  Thu, 13 Dec 07 12:37 PM

A cat is happy on its own but a dog wants your attention.

Could I substitute "alone/by itself" for "on its own" in the above? Thanks.

  
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Mister Micawber  #452751  Thu, 13 Dec 07 12:44 PM

Not really-- on its own I think better suggests a cat's independence, which is the point, not merely the solitude.


  
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Angliholic  #452758  Thu, 13 Dec 07 12:53 PM

 Mister Micawber wrote:

Not really-- on its own I think better suggests a cat's independence, which is the point, not merely the solitude.


Thanks, Mister.

Your explanation makes perfect sense to me!

By the way, doesn't "by itself" also suggestion its independence?

  
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