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victorycountry

#116703 Sat, 09 Jul 05 04:52 AM

Hi,

Say, there was a new employee and he quit the position only after 10 days and someone comes to me asking where he is.

Can I say, "He only lasted 10 days."?

By the way, "How long a soccer game last?" does it mean "How long a soccer game run?"

Thanks.

victorycountry

Joined on Sat, Oct 16 2004

Full Member (296)

science_guru

#116709 Sat, 09 Jul 05 05:54 AM

Can I say, "He only lasted 10 days."?

I think, this sentence is very inappropriate.

I would say, "He worked (here) for only 10 days" or

"He left the job in 10 days"

You need to add "s" at the end.

"How long a soccer game lasts?"

science_guru

Joined on Mon, Jun 27 2005

New Member (51)

Mister Micawber

#116723 Sat, 09 Jul 05 07:03 AM

'He only lasted 10 days'-- this would be used if the speaker considered the employee wholly inadequate to the position, or the position far too difficult/harsh/etc for the employee. 'The pitcher gave up three home runs and only lasted two innings before he was relieved.'

'How long does a soccer game last/run?'

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (22,689)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

Eimai_Anglos

#116939 Sun, 10 Jul 05 10:47 AM

QUOTE: 'He only lasted 10 days'

The position of "only" puts the emphasis on "lasted". If you want to emphasis the number of days you should write:

'He lasted only 10 days'.

Eimai_Anglos

Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005

Cheshire, England

Full Member (467)

Martin - native English speaker and technical author.

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