Sentences

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User_gary

#408094 Thu, 23 Aug 07 06:55 AM

I must get out of the habit of finishing off people's sentences for them.

Could you explain the highlighed parts? [Particularly the meaning of the word "sentences" in thsi context]

User_gary

Joined on Fri, Jan 5 2007

India

Senior Member (2,514)

Honesty is the best policy

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Mister Micawber

#408120 Thu, 23 Aug 07 08:04 AM

'Sentences' means language units ending in a full stop, etc. Some listeners have a good sense of anticipation and the irritating habit of saying the rest of the sentence before the original speaker can finish it himself.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (22,690)

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

User_gary

#408123 Thu, 23 Aug 07 08:07 AM

Thank you Mister Micawber.

So here I learn that we can "get out of a habit'.

Then why this sentence (I have the habit of smoking. Could you suggest me to get out of it?) is incorrect?

User_gary

Mister Micawber

#408166 Thu, 23 Aug 07 09:06 AM

I have the habit of smoking. Could you suggest a way to break it?

We 'get out of' casual habits; more serious physical or psychological habits-- addictions, really-- we must 'break'.

Mister Micawber