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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
I cut myself shaving
I recently heard it say that "I cut my face shaving" is not idiomatic in English and instead you should say, "I cut myself shaving." Google seems to confirm this, but then I often hear things like "I cut my finger chopping onions" although the version with "myself" does appear to be possible. (Correct me if I'm mistaken.)
Why the double standard? Is it because fingers are so small and located so far away from the trunk that they are not considered an essential part of yourself? I'd also like to know whether "myself" is preferred with other parts of the anatomy such as the arms and legs? Could anyone help?
lemmings
Why the double standard? Is it because fingers are so small and located so far away from the trunk that they are not considered an essential part of yourself? I'd also like to know whether "myself" is preferred with other parts of the anatomy such as the arms and legs? Could anyone help?
lemmings
Top answer
[nq:1]I recently heard it say that "I cut my face shaving" is not idiomatic in English and instead you should ... cut my finger chopping onions" although the version with "myself" does appear to be possible. )[/nq] No, you're right (see explanation below).
- [nq:1]I recently heard it say that "I cut my face shaving" is not idiomatic in English and instead you should ...
- cut my finger chopping onions" although the version with "myself" does appear to be possible.
- )[/nq] No, you're right (see explanation below).
- [nq:1]Why the double standard?
- [/nq] No, it's just that "face" is too general.
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23 Answers
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[nq:1]I recently heard it say that "I cut my face shaving" is not idiomatic in English and instead you should ... cut my finger chopping onions" although the version with "myself" does appear to be possible. (Correct me if I'm mistaken.)[/nq]
No, you're right (see explanation below).
[nq:1]Why the double standard? Is it because fingers are so small and located so far away from the trunk th
No, you're right (see explanation below).
[nq:1]Why the double standard? Is it because fingers are so small and located so far away from the trunk th
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lemlem wrote on 09 Aug 2004:
[nq:1]I recently heard it say that "I cut my face shaving" is not idiomatic in English and instead you should ... know whether "myself" is preferred with other parts of the anatomy such as the arms and legs? Could anyone help?[/nq]
You might cut your thumb while chopping onions, and the thumb, like the four other carpal digits. Most people make a distinction be
[nq:1]I recently heard it say that "I cut my face shaving" is not idiomatic in English and instead you should ... know whether "myself" is preferred with other parts of the anatomy such as the arms and legs? Could anyone help?[/nq]
You might cut your thumb while chopping onions, and the thumb, like the four other carpal digits. Most people make a distinction be
00
[nq:1]I recently heard it say that "I cut my face shaving" is not idiomatic in English and instead you should ... cut my finger chopping onions" although the version with "myself" does appear to be possible. (Correct me if I'm mistaken.)[/nq]
"I cut my face shaving" sounds idiomatic to me. For the reasons that others have mentioned, it is probably not as commonly heard as "I cut myself shaving
"I cut my face shaving" sounds idiomatic to me. For the reasons that others have mentioned, it is probably not as commonly heard as "I cut myself shaving
00
The reason might be that the face is so visible, and the cut or plaster so self explanatory, that you do not necessarily need to mention the face, just as you wouldn't say that you drove your car up the road to Plymouth, just that you drove to Plymouth (if you drove there in a carriage and horses, however, you might wish to mention the fact). So, if you fell over while shaving andhad the misfortun
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Qp10qp wrote on 09 Aug 2004:
[nq:1]Of course, these matters aren't always obvious. For example, I always limp when I've got toothache, for some reason.[/nq]
You're not supposed to do that until you are very, very long in the tooth. Maybe somewhere back in the dark recesses of your lineage there is some walrus or mammoth DNA.
Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.
For email, rep
[nq:1]Of course, these matters aren't always obvious. For example, I always limp when I've got toothache, for some reason.[/nq]
You're not supposed to do that until you are very, very long in the tooth. Maybe somewhere back in the dark recesses of your lineage there is some walrus or mammoth DNA.
Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.
For email, rep
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[nq:1]I recently heard it say that "I cut my face shaving" is not idiomatic in English and instead you should ... so small and located so far away from the trunk that they are not considered an essential part of yourself?[/nq]
I'm not sure, but "I cut my face shaving" suggests to me some more serious gash or laceration than the usual shaving nick that "I cut myself shaving" typically implies.
I'm not sure, but "I cut my face shaving" suggests to me some more serious gash or laceration than the usual shaving nick that "I cut myself shaving" typically implies.
00
[nq:1]Most of those who shave their face are men,[/nq]
Very few Australo-UKish men, though.
Very few Australo-UKish men, though.
00
[nq:2]I recently heard it say that "I cut my face ... that they are not considered an essential part of yourself?[/nq]
[nq:1]I'm not sure, but "I cut my face shaving" suggests to me some more serious gash or laceration than the usual shaving nick that "I cut myself shaving" typically implies.[/nq]
Agreed. The face is a big place.
Ross Howard
[nq:1]I'm not sure, but "I cut my face shaving" suggests to me some more serious gash or laceration than the usual shaving nick that "I cut myself shaving" typically implies.[/nq]
Agreed. The face is a big place.
Ross Howard
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Lemmings:
[nq:1]I recently heard it say that "I cut my face shaving" is not idiomatic in English and instead you should ... onions" although the version with "myself" does appear to be possible. (Correct me if I'm mistaken.) Why the double standard?[/nq]
It's not a double standard. You can say, "I cut myself" for any part of the body. For the face, though, the cut is generally visib
[nq:1]I recently heard it say that "I cut my face shaving" is not idiomatic in English and instead you should ... onions" although the version with "myself" does appear to be possible. (Correct me if I'm mistaken.) Why the double standard?[/nq]
It's not a double standard. You can say, "I cut myself" for any part of the body. For the face, though, the cut is generally visib
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[nq:2]Most of those who shave their face are men,[/nq]
[nq:1]Very few Australo-UKish men, though.[/nq]
You've been looking at too many AUE Gallery pictures.
Rob Bannister
[nq:1]Very few Australo-UKish men, though.[/nq]
You've been looking at too many AUE Gallery pictures.
Rob Bannister
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