0
Jobb Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

As

Is the sentence fine?

Well, I soon dug out the photo taken of Mr Chen and myself two years before, as I interviewed him, and put it in the very middle of the bookshelf.
  

Top answer

Yes Jobb, the sentence is fine. However, your question needs to be changed. Although I have here described the sentence as 'fine' , this is not a word you would normally use in your question.

  • Yes Jobb, the sentence is fine.
  • However, your question needs to be changed.
  • Although I have here described the sentence as 'fine' , this is not a word you would normally use in your question.
  • ' I can't describe why, perhaps it is just a matter of useage rather than grammar.
  • ).
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
Yes Jobb, the sentence is fine.

However, your question needs to be changed. Although I have here described the sentence as 'fine' , this is not a word you would normally use in your question. You should say 'Is this sentence ok/correct?'

I can't describe why, perhaps it is just a matter of useage rather than grammar.

Nona the Brit (incognito!).
0
Thanks for replying and reminding!
0
Nona,

Isn't that weird?! "fine" seems incompatible with non-assertive constructions - negatives and interrogatives. I told my students that one day, and the next day at a restaurant the waitress asked me, "Is everything fine?" Go figure.

Jim
0
Is it because it seems slightly presumptuous to ask if something is 'fine'?

'Fine' is the gracious response: 'good' with a gratuity. The questioner should not presume.

I detect something a little odd too, when we repeat the noun:

'How is the pizza?' [Humble enquiry.]
'It's fine, thank you.' [Gracious response.]

'Is the pizza fine?' [Presumptuous enquir
0
Well, should I use "thanks for enlightenment"? I feel "enlightenment" should be used in "big thing", like discussing of world view.
0
'Thanks for enlightening me' would be fine here, Jobb. It would sound slightly humorous – perhaps even tongue-in-cheek: a big word for a small occasion.

MrP
0
I've now known that is a big word from you. Emotion: big smile

Related Questions