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Nugso Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Offhand
Hello! Thanks to CalifJim, I've learnt a new word. Even though I looked up it in dictionaries I still don't know how should I it. However I give a try to myself and write some examples. Could you please check it?
A: Is flooding allowed in this forum?
B: I don't know the forum's rule offhand. Let me check it.
C: What's your phone number? Give me and I'll call you when going to cinema.
D: Oh. I don't know it offhand. I'll send you a message when I get home. So you can call me.
E: What nice food! I'd like to know its recipe? ( Is this sentence correct?
F: Um, I don't know that offhand. I'll tell you when I get the kitchen.
The following example is quoted from yahoo.com.
What's your new neighbor's name?
I dont know offhand but when I meet her I will tell you.
This one really has confused me. Should it not have been better if he said "I don't know, but when I meet her I'll tell you."?
Also, assuming they are correct( B&D&F's answers), can I say I can't remember right now instead?
Thanks.
A: Is flooding allowed in this forum?
B: I don't know the forum's rule offhand. Let me check it.
C: What's your phone number? Give me and I'll call you when going to cinema.
D: Oh. I don't know it offhand. I'll send you a message when I get home. So you can call me.
E: What nice food! I'd like to know its recipe? ( Is this sentence correct?
F: Um, I don't know that offhand. I'll tell you when I get the kitchen.
The following example is quoted from yahoo.com.
What's your new neighbor's name?
I dont know offhand but when I meet her I will tell you.
This one really has confused me. Should it not have been better if he said "I don't know, but when I meet her I'll tell you."?
Also, assuming they are correct( B&D&F's answers), can I say I can't remember right now instead?
Thanks.
Top answer
Hi ! As far as I can tell the ways you used it in your conversation are all correct ! The yahoo example is a little strange.
- Hi !
- As far as I can tell the ways you used it in your conversation are all correct !
- The yahoo example is a little strange.
- I usually recommend students NOT to use yahoo's dictionary.
- It's not a good one.
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6 Answers
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Hi !
As far as I can tell the ways you used it in your conversation are all correct !
The yahoo example is a little strange.
I usually recommend students NOT to use yahoo's dictionary. It's not a good one.
Try Longman
Good Luck !
As far as I can tell the ways you used it in your conversation are all correct !
The yahoo example is a little strange.
I usually recommend students NOT to use yahoo's dictionary. It's not a good one.
Try Longman
Good Luck !
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Hi Coach Philip. Thank you for your comment! As for your recommendation, yes I always use Oxford/Longman/Cambridge/M-W first. However the examples in them did not look explanatory to me, thus I felt like I needed more examples.I am still wondering whether the meaning of " I don't know that offhand" is " I can't remember it right now". Thanks.
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If you know something "offhand" you know it well and don't have to think about it!
So, let's say you ask me something about Sweden and I don't know much about Sweden, the conversation could go like this:
A: Can you give me some examples of products that are made in Sweden ?
B: I don't know much about Sweden so I can't give you any examples
So, let's say you ask me something about Sweden and I don't know much about Sweden, the conversation could go like this:
A: Can you give me some examples of products that are made in Sweden ?
B: I don't know much about Sweden so I can't give you any examples
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Thank you, CP but I still have problems understanding it.
Coach PhilipIf you know something "offhand" you know it well and don't have to think about it!So far so good;
Coach PhilipA: Can you give me some examples of products that are made in Sweden ?B: I don't know much about Sweden so I can't give you any examples offhand. But,
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Hi,
I got a bit curious about this word. Can you say:
She gave an offhand answer. or
In order to take the best decision possible you must use the information you have offhand.
Do these sentences sound OK? And do they make sense?
I got a bit curious about this word. Can you say:
She gave an offhand answer. or
In order to take the best decision possible you must use the information you have offhand.
Do these sentences sound OK? And do they make sense?
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