0
Itasan Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary
give a loud cough
give a loud cough
Is this expression possible?
Thank you.
Is this expression possible?
Thank you.
Top answer
Sounds ok. I think it would have the meaning of a fake cough though. If you want to use a phrase for a real cough, use cough as a verb: he coughed loudly.
- Sounds ok.
- I think it would have the meaning of a fake cough though.
- If you want to use a phrase for a real cough, use cough as a verb: he coughed loudly.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
Sounds ok. I think it would have the meaning of a fake cough though. If you want to use a phrase for a real cough, use cough as a verb: he coughed loudly.
00
I see. Thank you very much, Vorpar.
I think some people may cough loudly to draw someone's attention,
but usually slightly, right? I wonder if that is why we don't see
'give a loud cough' so much as 'give a slight cough'.
I think some people may cough loudly to draw someone's attention,
but usually slightly, right? I wonder if that is why we don't see
'give a loud cough' so much as 'give a slight cough'.
00
You're welcome.
I agree, the slight cough is for drawing attention. Someone who is really trying (without success) to draw attention that way may start becoming louder.
I agree, the slight cough is for drawing attention. Someone who is really trying (without success) to draw attention that way may start becoming louder.
00
That's indeed most probably a "double-meaning" cough, but not always.
For examples in the literature, search at:
with
site:literaturepost.com "gave a * cough"
(the * is necessary to allow for various adjectives in front of "cough")
and you will find examples such as:
-----
For examples in the literature, search at:
with
site:literaturepost.com "gave a * cough"
(the * is necessary to allow for various adjectives in front of "cough")
and you will find examples such as:
-----
0
Related Questions