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To reform you and your thieving ways

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Latest post Mon, Jan 14 2008 7:34 AM by Angliholic. 2 replies.
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Angliholic  +  463843 Mon, 14 Jan 08 03:27 AM

OK! I'll make you a deal. You stop analyzing me and my boat. I'll try my best to reform you and your thieving ways.

I wonder if "your thieving ways" in the above can be replaced by "your theft/thefty/stealing ways?" If not, why not? Thanks.
Angliholic
Joined on Wed, Feb 14 2007
SomewhereinFormosa
Veteran Member 6,474
Without true love, life is meaningless and worthless since our physical world is nothing but a dream. ~~Angliholic~~簡瑞達
Clive  +  463850 Mon, 14 Jan 08 03:54 AM

Hi,

OK! I'll make you a deal. You stop analyzing me and my boat. I'll try my best to reform you and your thieving ways.

I wonder if "your thieving ways" in the above can be replaced by "your theft/thefty/stealing ways?" If not, why not?

'Theft ways' is not idiomatic. 'The adjective form 'thieving ways' is better, and more idiomatic. 'Thefty' is not a word.'Stealing ways' is not idiomatic.

This obviously needs a suitable context.

'To reform you' seems a little bit formal to me when used along with a colloquial term like 'I'll make you a deal'. 

Best wishes, Clive
Clive
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member 29,657
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
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Angliholic  +  463894 Mon, 14 Jan 08 07:34 AM
 Clive wrote:

Hi,

OK! I'll make you a deal. You stop analyzing me and my boat. I'll try my best to reform you and your thieving ways.

I wonder if "your thieving ways" in the above can be replaced by "your theft/thefty/stealing ways?" If not, why not?

'Theft ways' is not idiomatic. 'The adjective form 'thieving ways' is better, and more idiomatic. 'Thefty' is not a word.'Stealing ways' is not idiomatic.

This obviously needs a suitable context.

'To reform you' seems a little bit formal to me when used along with a colloquial term like 'I'll make you a deal'. 

Best wishes, Clive

Thanks, Clive.
Angliholic
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