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Angliholic Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
a lone gunman/a lonely killer
President Lincoln was shot and killed by a lone gunman/a lonely killer.
Are the two bolded phrases interchangeable in the above sample? Thanks.
Are the two bolded phrases interchangeable in the above sample? Thanks.
Top answer
No no no. Lincoln's killer was neither acting alone, nor was he lonely. If he had acted alone he would not have been so easily able to make his escape, and if he had been lonely then he would probably have gone to a disco instead of a theater.
- No no no.
- Lincoln's killer was neither acting alone, nor was he lonely.
- If he had acted alone he would not have been so easily able to make his escape, and if he had been lonely then he would probably have gone to a disco instead of a theater.
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19 Answers
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No no no.
Lincoln's killer was neither acting alone, nor was he lonely. If he had acted alone he would not have been so easily able to make his escape, and if he had been lonely then he would probably have gone to a disco instead of a theater.
Lincoln's killer was neither acting alone, nor was he lonely. If he had acted alone he would not have been so easily able to make his escape, and if he had been lonely then he would probably have gone to a disco instead of a theater.
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Thanks, Mike.
I was trying to see if "a lone gunman" and "a lonely killer" are all but identical in meaning. What about the following when using a different subject?
Jack was shot and killed by a lone gunman/a lonely killer.
I was trying to see if "a lone gunman" and "a lonely killer" are all but identical in meaning. What about the following when using a different subject?
Jack was shot and killed by a lone gunman/a lonely killer.
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AngliholicThanks, Mike.a lone gunman
I was trying to see if "a lone gunman" and "a lonely killer" are all but identical in meaning. What about the following when using a different subject?
Jack was shot and killed by a lone gunman/a lonely killer.
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Yoong LiatThanks, Yoong.Angliholica lone gunman
Thanks, Mike.
I was trying to see if "a lone gunman" and "a lonely killer" are all but identical in meaning. What about the following when using a different subject?
Jack was shot and killed by a lone gunman/a lonely killer.
Bu
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No, they are not even similar.
A 'lone gunman' would be a gunman acting with no assistance, whereas a 'lonely killer' would be a killer who was sad that he had no company.
Hey, anyone out there fancy some lamb? I just bought some. Actually, I just bought quite a lot; six kilos. If you have a preferred recipe, then please post it.
Merry Christmas from me, and from the bi
A 'lone gunman' would be a gunman acting with no assistance, whereas a 'lonely killer' would be a killer who was sad that he had no company.
Hey, anyone out there fancy some lamb? I just bought some. Actually, I just bought quite a lot; six kilos. If you have a preferred recipe, then please post it.
Merry Christmas from me, and from the bi
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Hi Angliholic
What you are saying is that the killer did the job himself. He did have an accomplice.
'Lonely' means 'unhappy because you are along and do not have anyone to talk to'. A person can be alone but not lonely.
Hence, unless you mean the killer was lonely, which I believe should not be the case, then the phrase 'a lone gunman' should be used.
What you are saying is that the killer did the job himself. He did have an accomplice.
'Lonely' means 'unhappy because you are along and do not have anyone to talk to'. A person can be alone but not lonely.
Hence, unless you mean the killer was lonely, which I believe should not be the case, then the phrase 'a lone gunman' should be used.
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Mike In JapanNo, they are not even similar.
A 'lone gunman' would be a gunman acting with no assistance, whereas a 'lonely killer' would be a killer who was sad that he had no company.
Hey, anyone out there fancy some lamb? I just bought some. Actually, I just bought quite a lot; six kilos. If you have a preferred recipe, then please post it.
Me
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Mike In JapanHey, anyone out there fancy some lamb? I just bought some. Actually, I just bought quite a lot; six kilos. If you have a preferred recipe, then please post it.Hi Mike,
I don't have any recipe, instead I am wondering the use of "If ...., then ...." in your sentence. I have seen and heard this a lot. Has this beco
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Hi Angliholic
You wrote: But I still fail to see the differences between "killer" and "gunman." Could you explain them in a few words.
A gunman uses a gun to kill. A killer can use any weapon to kill, for example, instead of a gun, he can use a dagger, an axe, a sword, etc.
You wrote: But I still fail to see the differences between "killer" and "gunman." Could you explain them in a few words.
A gunman uses a gun to kill. A killer can use any weapon to kill, for example, instead of a gun, he can use a dagger, an axe, a sword, etc.
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Hi there Pter,
I'm not sure whether it has always been so, but it is certainly very common in English. Funnily enough, similar constructions are also very common in computing, and we all know how bewildering cmputers can be.
Oh, please excuse me, I have to check the burning lamb. :-)
I'm not sure whether it has always been so, but it is certainly very common in English. Funnily enough, similar constructions are also very common in computing, and we all know how bewildering cmputers can be.
Oh, please excuse me, I have to check the burning lamb. :-)
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