[title]Family quotes[/title] [description]Welcome to our family quotes section! Here you'll find some of the funniest (and wisest) quotes on the subject of family life![/description]
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Latest post Sat, Oct 31 2009 11:14 PM by Avangi. 3 replies.
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alc24  +  958333 Sat, 31 Oct 09 08:02 PM
Does this make sense? please


1 What am I bid for this fine vase?


2 What tells you that she's serious about working here./ How do you know she's serious...


3 I found on your computer what i found on mine.

  I Found what you found on your computer on mine.


thank you 

Joined on Sat, Jul 25 2009
Contributing Member 1,443
Avangi  +  958343 Sat, 31 Oct 09 08:26 PM
They're all grammatical.  The very last sentence is a bit awkward.  The others are fine.


Also, notice that your two versions of #3 have different meanings with respect to who found what on which computer.


You missed a capital "i."


A native speaker would probably say, "I found the same thing on my computer that you found on yours."

Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007
Veteran Member 8,197
". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier
alc24  +  958419 Sat, 31 Oct 09 10:22 PM
Thank you Avangi,


but for some reason 1 sounds off, its seems to me that its missing a word?


What am I ___ bid...    (I don't know)


and isn't number 2a wrong?   WHAT TELLS ME SHE'S SERIOUS, isn't that like a translation from french; said that way, wouldn't it be HOW DO YOU KNOW SHE'S SERIOUS...


thanks

Avangi  +  958437 Sat, 31 Oct 09 11:14 PM
alc24
“ 1 What am I bid for this fine vase?


2 What tells you that she's serious about working here./ How do you know she's serious...


3 I found on your computer what i found on mine.

I Found what you found on your computer on mine. ”

alc24
“but for some reason 1 sounds off, its seems to me that its missing a word?


What am I ___ bid...    (I don't know)


and isn't number 2a wrong?   WHAT TELLS ME SHE'S SERIOUS, isn't that like a translation from french; said that way, wouldn't it be HOW DO YOU KNOW SHE'S SERIOUS...”

Everything here is correct, in my opinion.


I know the active and passive voice forms of the verb "to bid" seem a little strange, but (trust me ) that's the way it is.  "I bid (to you) $25."  (active voice)

"I am bid (by you) $25."  (passive voice)

I can't think of a word you can stick in between.  "What am I now bid for this"?????


Re 2a, personally, I have nothing against the French.  Some of my best friends are French.  Two of my most memorable girlfriends were half French.


I'll grant you, 2a is not the most common way to ask this question, but in the proper context, it would be perfect.  When we are forced to use only the most common expressions, I, for one, shall be looking for a new home.


Rgdz, - A.

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