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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Best friend

I have 3 questions involving in the next passage

The first auto mechanic I visited gave me an estimate on repairs for my car. "That sounds fine," I replied. "But I also intend to get an estimate from the mechanic down the street." "Well," the man replied, "I can't say anything against him. He's the best friend I've got." Surprised at the friendly competition, I got the second estimate. When I returned to the first repair shop, the mechanic greeted me with a smile. "He doubled my bid for labor, didn't he? I told you he's the best friend I've got."


1. I would like to know the meaning of the next sentence.
"I can't say anything against him. He's the best friend I've got."


2. I would like to know if the next sentence is correct.
Surprised at the friendly competition = Because I was surprised at the friendly competition

3. I would like to know why the above passage is a joke.
  

Top answer

Hi, I have 3 questions involving in the next passage The first auto mechanic I visited gave me an estimate on repairs for my car. "That sounds fine," I replied. " "Well," the man replied, "I can't say anything against him.

  • Hi, I have 3 questions involving in the next passage The first auto mechanic I visited gave me an estimate on repairs for my car.
  • "That sounds fine," I replied.
  • " "Well," the man replied, "I can't say anything against him.
  • " Surprised at the friendly competition, I got the second estimate.
  • When I returned to the first repair shop, the mechanic greeted me with a smile.
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3 Answers
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Hi,
I have 3 questions involving in the next passage

The first auto mechanic I visited gave me an estimate on repairs for my car. "That sounds fine," I replied. "But I also intend to get an estimate from the mechanic down the street." "Well," the man replied, "I can't say anything against him. He's the best friend I've got." Surprised at the friendly competition, I got the second est
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1. Typically, the first mechanic would seek to discourage you from going elsewhere, by downgrading the second man's reputation. However, since the two are friends, they should not slander each other.

2. Correct.

3. The second man didn't want to steal his friend's business, so he overbid him, knowing the customer would return to the first mechanic. The first mechanic knew thi
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As Clive explained, the two mechanics are not really friends. (They may not know each other at all other than just knowing each other exists).

the second always quotes higher than the first, so the first gets the business. This means that - without meaning to - the second mechanic is someone who helps the first business a lot - its best friend (ironically) - even though he doesn't mean t

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