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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

A film of...

Can you use the word film (meaning a thin layer), if the film is the same as the thing below it:

For example, if I have a bowl of porridge. On the top of the porridge was a thin layer/film of porridge.

Can we say the porridge had a film of porride, or does the film have to be a different substance from what it sits on?

Does it have to be a film of milk for example on top of the porridge?

Thanks
  

Top answer

To me, "film" in this sense implies either a different substance or a noticeably different form of the same substance. "On the top of the porridge was a thin film of porridge" sounds silly. "On the top of the porridge was a thin film" could mean a film of some other contaminating substance, or could mean a film that originated from the porridge but had a different consistency (for example, some ingredient had separated out).

— Mr Wordy

  • To me, "film" in this sense implies either a different substance or a noticeably different form of the same substance.
  • "On the top of the porridge was a thin film of porridge" sounds silly.
  • "On the top of the porridge was a thin film" could mean a film of some other contaminating substance, or could mean a film that originated from the porridge but had a different consistency (for example, some ingredient had separated out).
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2 Answers
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To me, "film" in this sense implies either a different substance or a noticeably different form of the same substance.

"On the top of the porridge was a thin film of porridge" sounds silly. "On the top of the porridge was a thin film" could mean a film of some other contaminating substance, or could mean a film that originated from the porridge but had a different consistency (for exampl
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Mr Wordyor could mean a film that originated from the porridge but had a different consistency (for example, some ingredient had separated out).

Thanks, that is what I wanted to say, but as you have pointed it out, there is an ambiguity if I write the sentence as you have.
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