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Taka Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Look
She looked sad. A sad look. When we saw her look, we became sad too.
If the 'look' above were replaced with 'face' as:
She looked sad. A sad look. When we saw her face, we became sad too.
would it make the same sense?
If the 'look' above were replaced with 'face' as:
She looked sad. A sad look. When we saw her face, we became sad too.
would it make the same sense?
Top answer
Hi, The writer seems to have deliberately chosen to repeat the words 'sad' and 'look'. This adds emphasis and style and arguably rhythm to what is being said. Your proposed change detracts from this.
- Hi, The writer seems to have deliberately chosen to repeat the words 'sad' and 'look'.
- This adds emphasis and style and arguably rhythm to what is being said.
- Your proposed change detracts from this.
- Clive
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6 Answers
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Hi,
The writer seems to have deliberately chosen to repeat the words 'sad' and 'look'.
This adds emphasis and style and arguably rhythm to what is being said. Your proposed change detracts from this.
Clive
The writer seems to have deliberately chosen to repeat the words 'sad' and 'look'.
This adds emphasis and style and arguably rhythm to what is being said. Your proposed change detracts from this.
Clive
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TakaIf the 'look' above were replaced with 'face' ...would it make the same sense?Not exactly. A face is not a look, and a look is not a face.
A look is a facial expression. When you express sadness with your face, you have a sad look. When you express cheer, you have a cheery look. And so on.
CJ
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So these below sound a bit different to your native ear?
(Seeing) their happy faces makes me realize that they are really enjoying themselves.
(Seeing) their happy looks makes me realize that they are really enjoying themselves.
(Seeing) their happy faces makes me realize that they are really enjoying themselves.
(Seeing) their happy looks makes me realize that they are really enjoying themselves.
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TakaSo these below sound a bit different to your native ear?(Seeing) their happy faces makes me realize that they are really enjoying themselves.(Seeing) their happy looks makes me realize that they are really enjoying themselves.To my native ear, yes. For that context "faces" seems more idiomatic.
CJ
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The revised example means basically the same thing but the tone is different. The word "face" can often have negative connotations and so the second example sounds harsher.
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