ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: fork over a little more than a dollar

Grammar Geek — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:43:57 GMT

Yes, but of course it's odd to think abou that $200,000 as being negligable! That's more than I paid for my whole house!

Re: fork over a little more than a dollar

New2grammar — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:26:59 GMT

GG, if the amount exceeding 10 million is so small it's almost negligible, would you say "little more than 10 million"?

Re: fork over a little more than a dollar

Grammar Geek — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:13:54 GMT

If I can throw one more ... um... iron in the fire?

He paid little more than X.

He paid a little more than X.

The first emphasizes the smallenss of the number, but the second is simply factual.

He paid little more than $10,000,000 for the house. (I can't imagine saying that - there's nothing little about $10 million)

He paid a little more than $10,000,000 for the house. (I can imagine saying that [although not about anyone *I* know] to mean he paid $10.2 million.)

Re: fork over a little more than a dollar

New2grammar — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:06:21 GMT

Thanks, RayH.

Yankee, I love your using emoticons to enhance the meaning. Thanks!!!

Re: fork over a little more than a dollar

Yankee — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:00:37 GMT

New2grammar
I know it creates a subtle difference with the word 'few' but not little. Are we talking about the same difference?

Hi N2G

Yes, it's the same difference. You use 'few' for countable nouns and 'little' for uncountable nouns. Without the word 'a' in front of few/little, the sense is negative (i.e. not many/not much):

I have a few friends.

I have few friends.

I have a little money.

I have little money.

Re: fork over a little more than a dollar

RayH — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:41:24 GMT

2. Can I replace 'over' with 'a' without change of meaning?
If you mean this "expecting to fork a ~~over~~ little more than a dollar" then no you can't.
If you mean this "expecting to fork over a little more than a dollar" then yes you can.
Otherwise I don't know what you are asking.

Re: fork over a little more than a dollar

New2grammar — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:27:18 GMT

Thanks, Yankee.

2a . I didn't know the over was part of the phrasal verb fork over. I've always used "fork out". Is there any difference between the two prepositions?

2b. I know it creates a subtle difference with the word 'few' but not little. Are we talking about the same difference?

Re: fork over a little more than a dollar

Yankee — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:19:29 GMT

Hi N2G

1. Yes

2. The expression 'fork over' means 'pay' or 'spend' in the context.

With regard to your question about 'a', do you know the difference in meaning between 'little (of something)' vs 'a little (of something)'?

If you add the word 'a', you won't change the basic meaning, but the feeling/perception of the amount will undergo a subtle change.

fork over a little more than a dollar

New2grammar — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:13:33 GMT

Shortly after its opening in 2006, I decided to visit the Lodge at Woodloch, a destination spa deep in the Poconos. Upon my arrival from New York, I discovered the property had no cellular service, so I made several calls home from my room phone, expecting to fork over little more than a dollar.

1. Can I replace discover with found out?

2. Can I replace 'over' with 'a' without change of meaning?

Thanks in advance!