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Erikandre Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Distinct to or Distinct from??
“It’s not that Ruff and Mitchell speak different kind of English; they speak good and often eloquent English. But as Southern blacks they use certain words and idioms that are distinctive to their heritage, adding richness and humor to what they say.”
This fragment belongs to a book I am reading called “On Writing Well.” I got confused when I got to the underline part. For a second I thought the writer was wrong and he wrote “to” instead of “from.” Yet throughout the book the writer says that he have read and rewritten his book so many times, therefore I don’t think he could have overseen this sentence. So I suppose he means something else than “distinctive from”, but I can see to understand. ? Does he mean that their heritage is distinguish by those certain words and idioms?
Please help!!
This fragment belongs to a book I am reading called “On Writing Well.” I got confused when I got to the underline part. For a second I thought the writer was wrong and he wrote “to” instead of “from.” Yet throughout the book the writer says that he have read and rewritten his book so many times, therefore I don’t think he could have overseen this sentence. So I suppose he means something else than “distinctive from”, but I can see to understand. ? Does he mean that their heritage is distinguish by those certain words and idioms?
Please help!!
Top answer
Sorry I forgot to underline it. “It’s not that Ruff and Mitchell speak different kind of English; they speak good and often eloquent English. " Help please!!
- Sorry I forgot to underline it.
- “It’s not that Ruff and Mitchell speak different kind of English; they speak good and often eloquent English.
- " Help please!!
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2 Answers
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Sorry I forgot to underline it. “It’s not that Ruff and Mitchell speak different kind of English; they speak good and often eloquent English. But as Southern blacks they use certain words and idioms that are distinctive to their heritage, adding richness and humor to what they say." Help please!!
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This is a very subtle one. I can see why it's confusing.
He means the words and idioms are something that follows from their heritage. IE other people of their heritage would also use these words and idioms.
"distinctive from", would imply that they speak in a manner atypical for people of their heritage.
It's technically correct English, but too ambiguous for my l
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