Thread: Looking for language exchange

Originally Posted by kgcole

Today I have a couple questions for you.

I remember bumping into both "a couple questions" and "a couple of questions". What's the difference?

Originally Posted by kgcole

Another artist I thought was unique was Carravagio.

Why did you say "I thought" instead of "I think"? I suppose it is your opinion now, too.

Originally Posted by Helenej

I remember bumping into both "a couple questions" and "a couple of questions". What's the difference?

Why did you say "I thought" instead of "I think"? I suppose it is your opinion now, too.

Well, in actual conversation it's not wrong to simply say "I have a couple questions...", but it's generally more proper and grammatically correct to include the preposition "of"...."I have a couple of questions." The more comfortable you become with English in speaking, you may use familiar ways of speaking that are foreshortened but still correct. That only comes with fluency, I think.

In the sentence you're referring to, I said "I thought" because I was referring to a thought I had in the past. The past tense of "think" is "thought"....so, "I thought you said...".

Originally Posted by kgcole

In the sentence you're referring to, I said "I thought" because I was referring to a thought I had in the past. The past tense of "think" is "thought"....so, "I thought you said...".

But I suppose you keep believing him to be a good artist even now. If so, you mislead me by saying "I thought", right?

Originally Posted by Helenej

But I suppose you keep believing him to be a good artist even now. If so, you mislead me by saying "I thought", right?

I can see what you're saying...though I'd say that generally the context dictates the clarity of the thought...that I think the artist was notable, and I'm expressing a past thought of mine. My use of "Another artist..." suggests that I'm making a solid comparison of the skill. Here is where I think English differs a lot from Russian. Russian does require clarification in the sentence....often English is implied or understood in context. Maybe that's what you meant by saying English is analytical, and Russian is synthetical.

Btw I know that “that elegant” is more colloquial than “so elegant”. Could you comment on my using it here, please?

Well, your use of “that elegant” is correct. To say “so elegant” would be incorrect. I can’t think of a grammatical rule that prohibits its use, but I would say that “so” is most often used as a transitional word in conversation, “So, what do you think about that?” or “I think so.” To say “so
elegant” would sound uneducated. A better substitute would be “as elegant” in comparison; for instance, “That blue dress is not as elegant as the red dress.” You could also introduce the comparison in a previous sentence as in, “The blue dress is beautiful. I also think the red dress is not as elegant (as the blue dress).”

Я решительно уважаю ваш комментарий. Я считаю, что они бесценно. Я всегда стараюсь помнить и использовать ваше предложения в своих предложения. Один, которое я считаю недоуменно, стоит когда я использовать «может быть». Вы обычно исправляете с «наверное». Мне не показалось несоответсвующим и я заметил прежде ваше использование этого.

About your comments, I definitely pay attention to them. I consider them invaluable. I try to remember them, and use the suggestions in my sentences. One that I’m confused about is my use of “может быть”. You usually correct my use of it with “наверное”. My use of “может быты” doesn’t seem inappropriate, and I’ve seen you use it before.

Вы правильно об использовании из “обыкновенно” и “лишь” вместе. Это конечно несоответсвующий. Если вы еще почувствуете этого устаревшим то, что я буду стараться не использовать этого...ха ха.

You’re right about using “обыкновенно” and “лишь” together. It does sound inappropriate. If you still feel that “лишь” is out-dated, then I’ll try not to use it…lol.

День рождения из моего племяника пятница и он будет восемнадцать. Это бы ли интересном знать, что мы знаем сейчас и возвращать к этому возрасту? У него уже нет извинений и он все еще верит, что он никогда не делает ошибку...ха ха.

My nephew’s birthday is Friday, and he’ll be eighteen. Wouldn’t it be interesting to know what we know now and be that age again? He has no regrets yet, and still believes he never makes a mistake….ha ha.

Это «линк», которое вы послались мне о музейной выставке был интересном. Я бы, наверное, люблю этого посмотерть и обсудить моих мысли. Я не образованный об исскуствах, но у меня мнения из чего я вижу. Я предпочту реализм, но мне нравится так же еще один стилы.

The link you sent me to the museum exhibit was interesting. I would probably enjoy seeing that, and discussing my thoughts. I’m not educated about art, but I have my opinions of what I see. I prefer realism, but I don’t mind seeing other styles too.

Originally Posted by kgcole

Btw I know that “that elegant” is more colloquial than “so elegant”. Could you comment on my using it here, please?

Well, your use of “that elegant” is correct. To say “so elegant” would be incorrect. I can’t think of a grammatical rule that prohibits its use, but I would say that “so” is most often used as a transitional word in conversation, “So, what do you think about that?” or “I think so.” To say “so
elegant” would sound uneducated. A better substitute would be “as elegant” in comparison; for instance, “That blue dress is not as elegant as the red dress.” You could also introduce the comparison in a previous sentence as in, “The blue dress is beautiful. I also think the red dress is not as elegant (as the blue dress).”

How come? I can hear “She is so beautiful” and like this at every step!

I know about comparisons. Yet I have a question on them, too. Is “That blue dress is not so elegant as the red dress” that common also?

Originally Posted by Helenej

How come? I can hear “She is so beautiful” and like this at every step!

I know about comparisons. Yet I have a question on them, too. Is “That blue dress is not so elegant as the red dress” that common also?

The use of "so" in that sentence would be correct...it expresses that the adjective is noted to a great degree. Similar to "чрезвычайно". The use of "so" as a means of comparison is improper. There you're mistaking the word "so" for the word "as". To write that sentence, one would say,"That blue dress is not as elegant as the red dress." It's a common mistake, really. We have a term called "rednecks" which basically means "uneducated". One sounds "redneck" to say "That dress is not so elegant as..."...lol.

Originally Posted by kgcole

The use of "so" in that sentence would be correct...it expresses that the adjective is noted to a great degree. Similar to "чрезвычайно". The use of "so" as a means of comparison is improper. There you're mistaking the word "so" for the word "as". To write that sentence, one would say,"That blue dress is not as elegant as the red dress." It's a common mistake, really. We have a term called "rednecks" which basically means "uneducated". One sounds "redneck" to say "That dress is not so elegant as..."...lol.

Ok, let me sum that up.
Both “She is so beautiful. period” and ”She is that beautiful. period” are correct. If so, what is the difference between them?

The constructions with comparisons “as...as” and ”not as... as” are correct, while “not so...as” is incorrect.

I’ve just examined my neck. It’s not red.

Originally Posted by Helenej

Ok, let me sum that up.
Both “She is so beautiful. period” and ”She is that beautiful. period” are correct. If so, what is the difference between them?

The constructions with comparisons “as...as” and ”not as... as” are correct, while “not so...as” is incorrect.

I’ve just examined my neck. It’s not red.

Your summation is correct. As far as the difference between “She is so beautiful” and “She is that beautiful”, the first is a statement of a current condition: “She is (at this moment) so beautiful. The latter is a comparison to a previously stated condition: “The Greeks and the Trojans fought because of Helen of Troy. She was that beautiful.” Why did they fight over her? Because she was that beautiful. See the difference?

Well, believe it or not, some people in our South are proud to be redneck….lol. It’s the cause of much joking and fun sometimes

Originally Posted by kgcole

Your summation is correct. As far as the difference between “She is so beautiful” and “She is that beautiful”, the first is a statement of a current condition: “She is (at this moment) so beautiful. The latter is a comparison to a previously stated condition: “The Greeks and the Trojans fought because of Helen of Troy. She was that beautiful.” Why did they fight over her? Because she was that beautiful. See the difference?

Yes, I do. So, you mean there are no any style difference between them like "that" is kind of more colloquial or low colloquial than "so"?