ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: the door vs the brakes

Grammar Geek — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:57:06 GMT

Ah, Pter, you live a much more violent life than I do if it's common to have people hurtling about, being knocked unconsious!

I think your understand of these words is perfect.

Re: the door vs the brakes

Pter — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:55:29 GMT

No problem! Not even for counter-examples! Got it!

It's commonly said that he is an example of dyslexia. I didn't mean he is a good example or model for any type of grammar. (oops! sorry, still using him as example!) Press <Delete>, <Delete>, 100 times.

Thanks for your elaboration and examples. All of your examples are actions using the hands. I think "slam into" is pretty common in situations involving the whole body like "he slammed into a wall and fell unconscious".

Re: the door vs the brakes

Grammar Geek — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:15:03 GMT

I beg, implore, and beseach you to not use our dear president as a model for any type of grammar (or pronunciation, or idiology, or ... really, just don't use him as an example of anything).

Here is an ascending list of force.

She tapped at the door. (Picture finger tips, perhaps for a bedroom door, perhaps to not wake the person inside if they are sleeping.)

She knocked on the door. (Normal - you use the back of your knuckle.)

She rapped at the door. (Not very different from knocking, but perhaps a bit more forceful.)

She banged on the door. (I'd assume a closed fist, using the side where your litte finger is.)

She beat on the door. (This might be two fists, used as above.)

Re: the door vs the brakes

Pter — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:24:59 GMT

Grammar Geek

I slammed on the door: NOT VERY COMMON USAGE! It sounds like perhaps someone shoved me hard from a few feet away and my body slammed into the door (and I would prefer "slammed into" instead of "slammed on"), or just maybe, I hit it hard on purpose.

Hi GG, so what do you say when the police try to get into a house and the door is locked? "Banging on the door" is much more common? Slam "into" the door sounds more like an accident instead of an intentional act, right?

Just found out that some people do use "slam the brake", including George Bush!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010323-6.html

Re: the door vs the brakes

New2grammar — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:06:07 GMT

Thanks GG for confirming. It's very clear to me now.

Re: the door vs the brakes

Grammar Geek — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:58:12 GMT

I slammed the door: I shut the door with a great deal of force, as says above.

I slammed on the door: NOT VERY COMMON USAGE! It sounds like perhaps someone shoved me hard from a few feet away and my body slammed into the door (and I would prefer "slammed into" instead of "slammed on"), or just maybe, I hit it hard on purpose.

Re: the door vs the brakes

New2grammar — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:52:39 GMT

Great explanation. Thanks Pter!!!

Re: the door vs the brakes

Pter — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:40:17 GMT

If you slam a door, it is the door that slam. If you slam ON (or into) a door, it is YOU that slam.

You don't slam the brake. You slam your foot on the brake.

Re: the door vs the brakes

Takoyaki-English — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:10:45 GMT

New2grammar,

I don't think that "slam" and "shut" mean the same, either.

Re: the door vs the brakes

New2grammar — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:05:38 GMT

I have another thread on "slam" in which I don't think slam is equal to shut but I'll have to wait for an answer to know for sure. If I'm right on slam vs shut idea, I wouldn't interpret "slam the brakes" as you did. Will see. Thanks for your reply. It's always great to hear different opinions

Re: the door vs the brakes

Takoyaki-English — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:46:55 GMT

Hello.

"to slam on the brakes"
This means "to step on the brakes with a lot of force."

If someone said, "I slammed the brakes," I would think that they'd shut the brakes with a lot of force.
"To shut the brakes" makes no sense, doesn't it?

If someone said, "I slammed on the door," I would think that they'd stepped on the door with a lot of force.

the door vs the brakes

New2grammar — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:27:53 GMT

Why native speakers say "slam the door" but "slam ON the brakes"? In other words, how would you interpret "slam on the door" or" slam the brakes"?

Thanks in advance!