ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: Devastation 3

New2grammar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:17:38 GMT

Thank you, Mr. Wordy.

Re: Devastation 3

Mr Wordy — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:15:00 GMT

1. Yes (but it was meant light-heartedly, not as a harsh criticism!).

2. It seems that the meaning you want is "impede" or "obstruct". "Block out" can mean "obstruct", but it's usually reserved for things like sunlight or sound. For objects or people, my feeling is that "block" is better. ("Block out" has several other meanings too.)

Re: Devastation 3

New2grammar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:51:33 GMT

Thanks, Mr. Wordy. I've got two questions.

An object of detestation or hatred: My pet hate is tardiness.
1. Is this what you meant?

2. What's the difference between block and block out?

Re: Devastation 3

Mr Wordy — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:45:08 GMT

The devastation was more serious ~~that~~ than I'd thought and I started to understand why the government went to ~~the~~ such great lengths to block ~~out~~ journalists rather than help the survivors. Debris was everywhere. Farms were destroyed, homes were leveled and bodies (were) still scattered in some places, rotting. We interviewed a few families. One father cried as he told his story about the loss of his wife and only daughter ~~and wife~~. He said if it ~~wasn't~~ hadn't been for his son, he would have killed himself. Some farmers had started farming again as if nothing had happened. They didn't have a [I would prefer "any" here] choice but to get on with their lives. Children were eating rotting rice under the roof of a monastery that was fortunate to survive the killer hurricane; [Comma splice. My pet hate!] clearly they hadn't received much aid.

Devastation 3

New2grammar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:14:52 GMT

The devastation was more serious that I'd thought and I started to understand why the government went to the great lengths to block out journalists rather than help the survivors. Debris was everywhere. Farms were destroyed, homes were leveled and bodies still scattered in some places, rotting. We interviewed a few families. One father cried as he told his story about the loss of his only daughter and wife. He said if it wasn't for his son, he would have killed himself. Some farmers had started farming again as if nothing happened. They didn't have a choice but to get on with their lives. Children were eating rotting rice under the roof of a monastery that was fortunate to survive the killer hurricane, clearly they hadn't received much aid.

Are there any mistakes?
Thanks.