Thread: Some sentences

Please, help me choose the right word:

1. The naughty boy thrashed/slapped the hedge to frighten the horses.
2. The fast wind was whipping/slapping the window-pane and that sound was driving her crazy
3. If I see him, I swear I will thrash/strike him for what he has done
4. Mr Willow is the eldest in the family but no one ever listens to him. Every time he wants to get attention, he has to strike/slap the table a heavy blow.
5. Marion didn't imagine she could ever enjoy those solitary/single walks in the mountain
6. The Arctic bears are able to survive the peril/jeopardy/hazard of the blizzards.

It would be nice if you provide your answers with some comments.

Thanks in advance

1. The naughty boy thrashed/slapped the hedge to frighten the horses.
2. The fast wind was whipping/slapping the window-pane and that sound was driving her crazy
3. If I see him, I swear I will thrash/strike him for what he has done
4. Mr Willow is the eldest in the family but no one ever listens to him. Every time he wants to get attention, he has to strike/slap the table a heavy blow.
5. Marion didn't imagine she could ever enjoy those solitary/single walks in the mountain
6. The Arctic bears are able to survive the peril/jeopardy/hazard of the blizzards.

I'm curious what novel/book all this came from.

1. I'd pick "thrashed"...
Thrashed= repeated, violent hits, usually between people... slapped= normally only only one hit, or much less severe than 'thrashing'.

2. Slapping. Slapping "sounds" more normal, natural, than 'thrashing', when the wind hits a window. Also, striking works. Whipping usually involves using an object... not natural to say "whipping the pane."

3. Thrash... thrash is closer to "beating" (repeated and violent)... strike is usually a single hit (does not "sound" as violent as thrashing).

4. Depends... could be either strike or slap, but I'd use "strike the table...". Slap is generally between people... Strike is better I think, against non-living objects (a table). Slap can be used if it is not 'serious'.
Strike= more serious... Slap= less serious.

5. Solitary. Don't use "single" in this context. "Solitary" is a more powerful, stronger image. Using "single" in this context is not natural.

6. Any of these could work in a story... I'd use hazard (it is less formal) because of the image. Peril would be more formal, and it is O.K.... 'Jeopardy'... no. 'Jeopardy' usually involves a choice with risk... not normal for the sentence or image. Polar bears usually have no choice/risk.

Nice Dobry!

Thank you very much, Dorby

Keep in mind that it is quite common to describe the wind as "whipping" or "whiped".

Here are a few sentences from google that I whipped up:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=wh ... gle+Search

Originally Posted by DDT

Keep in mind that it is quite common to describe thw wind as "whipping" or "whiped".

Here are a few sentences from google that I whipped up:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=wh ... gle+Search

I would agree with DDT on that one. I was too impressed with Dobry's reply that I missed that one. Whipped seems more appropriate.

Originally Posted by Тоби

Originally Posted by DDT

Keep in mind that it is quite common to describe thw wind as "whipping" or "whiped".

Here are a few sentences from google that I whipped up:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=wh ... gle+Search

I would agree with DDT on that one. I was too impressed with Dobry's reply that I missed that one. Whipped seems more appropriate.

Thanks to both DDT and Toби... for me, 'whipped/whipping' implies a 3rd object (not the wind) hitting the window... an actual whip, or tree-branch, for example. The meaning is almost the same, so 'whipping' could be used... I just don't think whipping gives the correct image, or sound from the wind.

Battering the window is another choice... and has the image of the wind trying to get inside... includes shaking and rattling of the window in a strong wind.

But, it's Chuvak's choice.