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Old Eladio Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

May and Irony

0Please, consider this. I'm trying to understand the level of irony I can put by using different verbs. Is what I have written in brackets correct?02br
02br
01b00May I ask if you at least can fry eggs? 02b00("normal" irony)02br
02br
01b00May I ask if you at least know how to fry eggs? 02b00("normal" irony)02br
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01b00May I ask if you al least have the particular skill to fry eggs? 02b00(Rude irony)02br
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01b00Can you fry eggs? (Without irony)02b02br
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00And thank you in advance!02br
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00Eladio0-
  

Top answer

0Hi 'Eladio',02br 02br 01font 00I'm trying to understand the level of irony I can put by using different verbs. 02font 02br 02br 01font 01b 00May I ask if you at least can fry eggs? 02b 00("normal" irony)02font 02br 02br 01font 01b 00May I ask if you at least know how to fry eggs?

— Clive

  • 0Hi 'Eladio',02br 02br 01font 00I'm trying to understand the level of irony I can put by using different verbs.
  • 02font 02br 02br 01font 01b 00May I ask if you at least can fry eggs?
  • 02b 00("normal" irony)02font 02br 02br 01font 01b 00May I ask if you at least know how to fry eggs?
  • 02b 00("normal" irony)02font 02br 02br 01font 01b 00May I ask if you al least have the particular skill to fry eggs?
  • 02b 00(Rude irony)02font 02br 02br 01b 01font 00Can you fry eggs?
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2 Answers
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0Hi 'Eladio',02br
02br
01font00I'm trying to understand the level of irony I can put by using different verbs. Is what I have written in brackets correct?02font02br
02br
01font01b00May I ask if you at least can fry eggs? 02b00("normal" irony)02font02br
02
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0 Eladio,02br
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00 I don't think the verb choice in itself plays a significant role in creating irony (which you are using here in the sense of "sarcasm"). Rather, it is the entire sentence, and, as mentioned above, tone of voice. Unusual and clever expressions tend more toward sarcasm than mere changes in verbs. Sarcasm (or irony, as you say) can easily be combin
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