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Yoong Liat Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

Difference in meaning between statements

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one to help yourself, the other to help others.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

Is there any difference in meaning between the above statements?


Thanks!

  

Top answer

There shouldn't be much difference. However, "help oneself", in addition to the meaning that you intend, has a special idiomatic meaning of "take as much of something as one wants", and for me this meaning slightly intrudes in your second sentence. Opinions may vary as to how much of a problem this is.

  • There shouldn't be much difference.
  • However, "help oneself", in addition to the meaning that you intend, has a special idiomatic meaning of "take as much of something as one wants", and for me this meaning slightly intrudes in your second sentence.
  • Opinions may vary as to how much of a problem this is.
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2 Answers
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There shouldn't be much difference. However, "help oneself", in addition to the meaning that you intend, has a special idiomatic meaning of "take as much of something as one wants", and for me this meaning slightly intrudes in your second sentence. Opinions may vary as to how much of a problem this is.

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Yoong Liat,

Wow! You're back! It's nice to see you again. You've been away for such a long time.

CJ

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