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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Grammar
My friend ( a non native English speaker, Spanish in fact )and a translator by profession , recently had to write a report about an assault that he experienced. When writing about the actual words that were said to him prior to the assault , he wrote : "Get out of here" or "I can't stand to see your face".
The argument that I have is with the use of the word "or" between the 2 quotations , given the fact that BOTH statements were said. I argue that AND should replace the OR. However , he is adamant and said that it is the correct use in this context. As a native speaker I strongly disagree and have explained why but he won't budge.
So , now I am questioning my own competency at my mothertongue.
Am I wrong as he says?
I look forward to your opinion.
Regards
Sue Milos
The argument that I have is with the use of the word "or" between the 2 quotations , given the fact that BOTH statements were said. I argue that AND should replace the OR. However , he is adamant and said that it is the correct use in this context. As a native speaker I strongly disagree and have explained why but he won't budge.
So , now I am questioning my own competency at my mothertongue.
Am I wrong as he says?
I look forward to your opinion.
Regards
Sue Milos
Top answer
Hi Sue, Yes, of course-- if both were said, then ' and ' is the conjunction to use. In fact with 'or', it appears that the writer did not hear what was said at all, but is just guessing! Unfortunately, some non-native speakers have learnt something (sometimes inaccurately), and will indeed not budge.
- Hi Sue, Yes, of course-- if both were said, then ' and ' is the conjunction to use.
- In fact with 'or', it appears that the writer did not hear what was said at all, but is just guessing!
- Unfortunately, some non-native speakers have learnt something (sometimes inaccurately), and will indeed not budge.
- )
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1 Answers
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Hi Sue,
Yes, of course-- if both were said, then 'and' is the conjunction to use. In fact with 'or', it appears that the writer did not hear what was said at all, but is just guessing!
Unfortunately, some non-native speakers have learnt something (sometimes inaccurately), and will indeed not budge. (It happens to native teachers too, though, I am sorry to say.)
Yes, of course-- if both were said, then 'and' is the conjunction to use. In fact with 'or', it appears that the writer did not hear what was said at all, but is just guessing!
Unfortunately, some non-native speakers have learnt something (sometimes inaccurately), and will indeed not budge. (It happens to native teachers too, though, I am sorry to say.)
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