Isn't Bart strong and smart!

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Teo

#293783 Thu, 16 Nov 06 06:53 AM

Isn't Bart strong and smart!

What does the above EXCLAMATORY sentence mean?

Teo

Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004

Taiwan

Contributing Member (1,612)

Thank you very much for your reply.

CalifJim

#293785 Thu, 16 Nov 06 07:03 AM

How strong and smart Bart is!

Bart is amazingly strong and smart!

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,964)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Teo

#295403 Mon, 20 Nov 06 08:18 AM

Boy, am I hungry.

What does the above EXCLAMATORY sentence mean?

Teo

Philip

#295575 Mon, 20 Nov 06 04:47 PM

Teo wrote:

Boy, am I hungry!!!

What does the above EXCLAMATORY sentence mean?

I'm really hungry!

Philip

Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005

USA Pacific Northwest (Seattle)

Veteran Member (6,181)

At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen

CalifJim

#295706 Tue, 21 Nov 06 02:33 AM

'boy' is a common exclamatory word which has mostly lost its meaning as a young male child when used in this context. However, a word of caution. I would not use the exclamatory 'boy' in a conversation with an African-American man, since it used to be used with derogatory intent, especially in the days of slavery in America. I made this mistake once quite innocently and received some dirty looks.

CJ

CalifJim

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Teo

#295717 Tue, 21 Nov 06 03:13 AM

Isn't Bart strong and smart!

Is Bart strong and smart!

Do the above exclamatory sentences have the same meaning?!

Teo

#296241 Wed, 22 Nov 06 10:30 AM

As an exclamation I would say yes, they are saying the same thing.

Wow, that sure was easy!
Wow, was that easy!
Wow, wasn't that easy!
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/student/viewtopic.php?p=84567#84567

Teo

J Lewis

#296267 Wed, 22 Nov 06 11:42 AM

Was that easy! and Am I hungry! are particularly American constructions. I don't think we have this inversion for an exclamation in BrE.
When we use the negative, it's formally an interrogative, so if I say Isn't he clever? it's like asking Don't you think he's clever? However, we often put an exclamation mark here too, because it's not a real question that somebody has to answer.