Differences

Question

Hi,

I'd like to know whether there is a difference in meaning in the following sentences:

He really does, doesn't he?

He certainly does, doesn't he?

He definitely does, doesn't he?

Also are the following sentences grammatically correct?

Men used to work in the mines, as did their fathers.

Men used to work in the mines, as their fathers did.

My father warned me about not coming home late.

My father warned me about coming home late.

Thanks a million

Nancy

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

NancyJosie
I'd like to know whether there is a difference in meaning in the following sentences:

He really does, doesn't he?

He certainly does, doesn't he?

He definitely does, doesn't he?

Hmm. They're pretty similar in meaning, but there seem to be some identifiable differences too. For example:

A: "He loves her."

B: "He really/certainly does, doesn't he?"

Here, "really" may have a tinge of admiration, surprise or wonder. "certainly" seems more matter-of-fact.

"I'm having doubts now about whether it's true. He definitely does, doesn't he?"

Here -- when asking for confirmation of an doubtful fact -- "definitely" seems the most likely choice.

Note that the tag question can (as illustrated in the above examples) have a range of different meanings. It may be a genuine question, or it may be merely anticipating a confirmation of something that the speaker already knows, or it may something in between. Depending on how the tag question is intended, the different variants may be more or less likely in different circumstances.

NancyJosie
Men used to work in the mines, as did their fathers.

Men used to work in the mines, as their fathers did.

Both are possible.

NancyJosie
My father warned me about not coming home late.

My father warned me about coming home late.

The second is OK. I suppose some people might use the first, but to me it seems illogical. It appears to be a confusion between "My father warned me about coming home late" and "My father warned me not to come home late".

NancyJosie · Answer

Hello Mr. Womder,

Thanks a million for your reply. The only thing that I'm not sure about are the following sentences.

> My father warned me about not coming home late.
>
> My father warned me about coming home late.

I agree with you that the second sentence is correct but you mentioned that "My father warned me about not to come home late" would be correct too. My question is: shouldn't we use the ing form of the verb that follows a preposition?

Awaiting your reply.

Thanking you in advance

Nancy
>

Ivanhr · Answer

NancyJosieI agree with you that the second sentence is correct but you mentioned that "My father warned me about not to come home late" would be correct too. My question is: shouldn't we use the ing form of the verb that follows a preposition?

Awaiting your reply.

Thanking you in advance

Nancy
>

Yes, but note the omission of 'about' in Mr Wordy's sentence.

NancyJosie · Answer

Hi Mr. Wordy,

Thanks a million.

Here's another question for you. What's the difference between hold your tongue and bite your tongue? If there's any difference, would you please give me some examples.

Thanks a lot.

Nancy

Mr Wordy · Answer

NancyJosieWhat's the difference between hold your tongue and bite your tongue?

"bite your tongue" has a stronger sense that you are, with difficulty, stopping yourself saying something that you would very much like to say.

"hold your tongue" can be used in the imperative; "bite your tongue" can't.

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