By Negatives, Expressions

Re: in a while / for a while ?

a while is an indefinite period of time. It is usually equivalent to some time. It can be short or long; it is relative to the context in which it occurs. For example, the amount of time represented by while in I'll be in Europe for a while is greater than the amount of time represented...

Re: as far as one's concerned

Hi Anon, I'd say all three of the "introductory expressions" may be used to precede the expression of positive, sincere, or serious opinions. "As far as I'm concerned" means what it says - to the extent that I'm involved, or should be entitled to comment on...

Re: "Northing could be further from the truth"

Hi, Nothing could be further from the truth" becomesa popular expression. It's been a standard expression for a long time. What exactly does it mean It means that the thing you are talking about is as far away from the truth as it is possible to be. ie it's completely...

"Nothing could be further from the truth"

"Northing could be further from the truth" becomesa popular expression. What exactly does it mean and why is written in such a complicated manner (double negative)? Thanks. Armstrong

Re: Preposition: For

Words have many meanings and uses. For to doesn´t exist in English as one is trying to put a preposition in front of a infinitive verb.This is a very common translation error in Spanish.For- is used in questions about the purpose ,destination beneficiaries What is this for? I left for Mexico....

Re: Preposition: For

Words have many meanings and uses. (For to) doesn´t exist in English as one is trying to put a preposition in front of a infinitive verb.This is a very common translation error in Spanish.For- is used in questions and concerns the purpose ,destination and beneficiaries What is this for? I...

Re: How to negate "have got to"?

No. The negation of has got to is hasn't got to. Note, however, that the expression have got to is used almost exclusively in present time in affirmative statements, not in interrogatives, negatives, or in other tenses. Change to have to for those.Those marked with ? below should be...

Re: did I / can I/ have I in affirmative clauses

Hi Giuseppe, and welcome!The structure you're referring to is called "inversion."Your examples fall into a singular category (that of negative/restrictive expression) which includes other expressions, such as barely, scarcely, hardly, seldom, little, never, under no circumstances,...

Re: did or was

Anonymous wrote: Hi, Sometimes I get confused which one to used in the situations like the one or ones below. Did he go to school on Sunday? Was he born in Japan? Why one takes a modal verb 'did', whereas the other one takes an auxiliary verb 'was'? How can I make correct choices? 'Go'...

"God is an Englishman"

"God is an Englishman" Does this phrase essentially mean "we got lucky" from the British point of view? But is there a negative tone to this expression?