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Hi there, dear teachers. I've accumulated a couple of questions I would like you to help me with. Thank you so much in advance.

My friend has winded up his business and it has become one firm less. Does the part in bold face sound good to you?

Nastya has good practical skills in medicine. She is a versatile/universal doctor. The word "versatile" is better here (isn't it?), but "universal" can be used nonetheless without distorting the context much, can't it?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

My friend has winded up his business and it has become one firm less.
Nastya has good practical skills in medicine. She is a versatile/universal doctor.

Hi, Fandorin.

The past participle of "wind" is "wound," not "winded."

It sounds good, but the meaning is lost. We have to ask, "How many firms was his business to begin with?"

Do you mean that his firm no longer exists, so therefore the number of existing firms of this type is one less?

I think you're using "business" in two ways at the same time. "His business" can be his particular enterprise, or business entity; and "his business" can also refer to the type of business he is/was in, as well as the sum total of all activity in that field - eg, the diamond business.

Yes, "versatile" is better than "universal" when describing a doctor, but neither one is particularly idiomatic in this context. In other fields they might be praiseworthy, but here they seem demeaning.
You're speaking of an experienced general practioner who is very skillful and has wide knowledge.

Fandorin · Answer

Hi, Avangi. Thank you for such a detailed answer.

AvangiThe past participle of "wind" is "wound," not "winded."

Shame on me!

Avangiso therefore the number of existing firms of this type is one less?

Exactly. I used "business" implying a particular profitable activity or enterprise. I wanted to use it as a kind joke, like "His ideas didn't work out and now the number of firms in the world has decreased by one."

Avangi but here they seem demeaning.

For example, she is a doctor because she has graduated from medical university. And her wide knowledge isn't confined by nursing only. Why is it demeaning?

Avangi · Answer

There's surely nothing demeaning about the idea. It's the terms "versatile" and "universal" which, in their usual application, are not up to the standards of reverance in which we hold a very competent and respected GP. (Sorry, bad sentence. I'm not awake.)
I tried to think of substitutes when I first posted. Still no luck. Maybe later. [:^)] - A.

Exactly. I used "business" implying a particular profitable activity or enterprise. I wanted to use it as a kind joke, like "His ideas didn't work out and now the number of firms in the world has decreased by one."

I should have tried harder to find a way to make your joke work! The dual use of "business" doesn't quite work. I'll try to get back.

Mr Wordy · Answer

FandorinMy friend has winded up his business and it has become one firm less. Does the part in bold face sound good to you?

The problem is that "it" seems to refer to his business, with results that don't quite make sense. I think you really mean "there is", which is a common way of expressing the existence of something. So, you could say:

My friend has wound up his business, and now there is one less firm in the world.

Fandorin
Nastya has good practical skills in medicine. She is a versatile/universal doctor. The word "versatile" is better here (isn't it?), but "universal" can be used nonetheless without distorting the context much, can't it?

"versatile" seems fine to me. "universal" does not seem natural.

Avangi · Answer

I can't find what I'd call a respectful substitute for "versatile," though I'm sure there must be one.

Assuming the populations of actors and doctors are about equal, I note this discrepancy:

Google hits actor doctor

versatile 105,000 2,410

gifted 1,390,000 2,480,000

talented 4,370,000 5,480,000

Granted, this is the age of specialization in medicine, but so is it also in sho biz.
I think 50 to 1 shows that "versatile" is not commonly used to describe doctors.

But then, people also hate doctors twice as much as they do actors:

Terrible actors - 6,130,000 Terrible doctors - 13,500,000

Fandorin · Answer

AvangiBut then, people also hate doctors twice as much as they do actors:

Indeed! Too much attention takes its toll, I suppose.

Mr Wordy I think you really mean "there is"

I did. I have to swot up basics. Sleepless nights do its dirty business.

Thank you Avangi and Mr.Wordy. Now I get it.

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