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Vsuresh Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
at least
Hi
Please tell me if at least is fine in this context:
Context: The speaker after knowing that I have already been assigned a lot of work, wants me to support her a little in her task. Then she says this.
I know you already a lot of work; at least do this (a small part of the work) for me.
The reason I have this question is I normally use the phrase in a negative context:
You are not fit enough to solve all the problems; at least solve the first three.
Please tell me if at least is fine in this context:
Context: The speaker after knowing that I have already been assigned a lot of work, wants me to support her a little in her task. Then she says this.
I know you already a lot of work; at least do this (a small part of the work) for me.
The reason I have this question is I normally use the phrase in a negative context:
You are not fit enough to solve all the problems; at least solve the first three.
Top answer
vsuresh I know you already a lot of work; at least do this (a small part of the work) for me. The use of "at least" is correct English, but the request feels quite blunt. You made a typo in the first part.
- vsuresh I know you already a lot of work; at least do this (a small part of the work) for me.
- The use of "at least" is correct English, but the request feels quite blunt.
- You made a typo in the first part.
- Something like this might be more usual: I know you already have a lot of work, but could you at least do this (a small part of the work) for me ?
- "at least" may still sound as if the speaker really wants or expects more, so it is not the most polite request ever.
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6 Answers
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vsureshI know you already a lot of work; at least do this (a small part of the work) for me.The use of "at least" is correct English, but the request feels quite blunt. You made a typo in the first part. Something like this might be more usual:
I know you already have a lot of work, but could you at least do this (a small part o
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Please tell me if at least is fine in this context:
Context: The speaker after knowing that I have already been assigned a lot of work, wants me to support her a little in her task. Then she says this.
I know you already have a lot of work; at least do this (a small part of the work) for me.
Context: The speaker after knowing that I have already been assigned a lot of work, wants me to support her a little in her task. Then she says this.
I know you already have a lot of work; at least do this (a small part of the work) for me.
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Clive'You are not fit enough to' here suggests that you are too sick. Is this what you mean?I'm sorry no. I mean the person is not intelligent enough to do it.
I think I can say this here "You are not intelligent enough to solve all the problems."
Can we use 'capable' in place of 'intelligent'?
Thank you.Clive.
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GPY"at least" may still sound as if the speaker really wants or expects more, so it is not the most polite request ever.I get it. Thank you,GPY.
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vsureshI'm sorry no. I mean the person is not intelligent enough to do it. I think I can say this here "You are not intelligent enough to solve all the problems.Can we use 'capable' in place of 'intelligent'?"You are not intelligent enough to solve ..." is correct English but sounds like an insult. "You are not capable of solving ..." is slightly less insulti
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GPY"You are not intelligent enough to solve ..." is correct English but sounds like an insult. "You are not capable of solving ..." is slightly less insulting, but still not suitable for use in many situations.I cannot agree more. Thank you very much,GPY.
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