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Snappy Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
He keeps his diary before he goes to bed.
Is the following expression wrong?
"He keeps his diary before he goes to bed."
A Japanese English teacher explains that the expression "keep a diary" is used to refer a long-term habit of writing a diary. Therefore, it is unnatural if the expression is used with "he goes to bed," which refers to a specific time. He suggests the following alternative.
"He keeps a diary and he always writes it before going to bed."
I do not see any mistakes in "He keeps his diary before he goes to bed."
If this sentence is wrong, "I brush my teeth before/after I eat breakfast" is wrong, too.
I would like to hear native speakers' opinion.
Thank you in advance.
"He keeps his diary before he goes to bed."
A Japanese English teacher explains that the expression "keep a diary" is used to refer a long-term habit of writing a diary. Therefore, it is unnatural if the expression is used with "he goes to bed," which refers to a specific time. He suggests the following alternative.
"He keeps a diary and he always writes it before going to bed."
I do not see any mistakes in "He keeps his diary before he goes to bed."
If this sentence is wrong, "I brush my teeth before/after I eat breakfast" is wrong, too.
I would like to hear native speakers' opinion.
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
I agree with your teacher; it is wrong use of the phrase. He makes a diary entry before he goes to bed. 'Keeping a diary' is not like 'brushing your teeth', but 'making a diary entry' is.
- I agree with your teacher; it is wrong use of the phrase.
- He makes a diary entry before he goes to bed.
- 'Keeping a diary' is not like 'brushing your teeth', but 'making a diary entry' is.
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6 Answers
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I agree with your teacher; it is wrong use of the phrase. He makes a diary entry before he goes to bed. 'Keeping a diary' is not like 'brushing your teeth', but 'making a diary entry' is.
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Mister MicawberI agree with your teacher; it is wrong use of the phrase. He makes a diary entry before he goes to bed. 'Keeping a diary' is not like 'brushing your teeth', but 'making a diary entry' is.Thank you for your advice.
I thought "keeping a diary" and "writing in a diary" had the same meaning, because I found the following
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Inga kept a diary = the sum of all the times that she wrote entries in her diary. Keeping a diary = continuing to write in a diary.
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SnappyI do not see any mistakes in "He keeps his diary before he goes to bed."It's as contradictory and anomalous as saying any of these.
He has two brothers before he writes a letter.
He keeps his shoes in this closet before he goes to bed.
He owns a very large house after he comes home from work.
The main claus
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Let me clarify one thing.
1. I write my diary before I go to bed.
2. I write in my diary before I go to bed.
Are these both acceptable? Is there any difference in meaning between them?
1. I write my diary before I go to bed.
2. I write in my diary before I go to bed.
Are these both acceptable? Is there any difference in meaning between them?
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I can imagine someone saying #1 but meaning #2, yes. You cannot write your whole diary in an evening, however.
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