0
HSS Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

On the Spur of the Moment

Could the alternatives be the paraphrases of the sentences? (My question concerns who decides to intend for the action to take place in setences like the following with 'on the spur of the moment')

I just can't meet you on the spur of the moment.
1. There's no way I can see you because it is only a short time ago you called me.
2. There's no way I can see you because it is only a short time ago I called you.

Neither of them ever seems able to write to you on the spurt of the moment.
1. Neither of them can ever write to you because you always ask them to write only a moment before.
2. Neither of them can ever write to you because they always decide to write only a moment before.

Thanks.

Hiro
  

Top answer

Hi Hiro, RE: I just can't meet you on the spur of the moment; a good way to say this would be: - I can't meet with you then, as it's the spur of the moment, and I need more time to plan please. - Since I just called you, it's the spur of the moment, so let's plan another time please. ______________________________________________________ RE: Neither of them ever seems able to write to you on the spur of the moment.

— Anonymous

  • Hi Hiro, RE: I just can't meet you on the spur of the moment; a good way to say this would be: - I can't meet with you then, as it's the spur of the moment, and I need more time to plan please.
  • - Since I just called you, it's the spur of the moment, so let's plan another time please.
  • ______________________________________________________ RE: Neither of them ever seems able to write to you on the spur of the moment.
  • - Neither can write so quickly, as it was the spur of the moment.
  • - Neither of them can write as they choose the spur of the moment, and you/I/they need more time.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
Hi Hiro,

RE: I just can't meet you on the spur of the moment; a good way to say this would be:

- I can't meet with you then, as it's the spur of the moment, and I need more time to plan please.

- Since I just called you, it's the spur of the moment, so let's plan another time please.

______________________________________________________

RE: Ne
0
0
The decision-maker seems to me to be irrelevant in these sentences.
0
0
My non-native perception upon reading a sentence with 'on the spur of the moment' is the party who made the last minute decision could be either the subject or the object of the verb (or, maybe possibly someone else).

With the following example, it could be 'we' or 'us' who offered to see the other, or asked the other to see them the last minute, couldn't it?

We met Tam on th
0
0
My former remark stands, Hiro.
0
0
I read your former remark, Mr. M. Did you mean the decision maker does not exist, or ... hmmm ... I'm sorry I can't seem to understand. Would you be so good as to explain a little more, Mr. M?
0
0
The decision-maker seems to me to be irrelevant in these sentences. The speaker or the spoken-to or a 3rd party can make the spur-of-the-moment decision.
0
0
Oh, okay, Mr. M. I understand you now. I guess I could not fully grasp the meaning of 'irrelevant' in your help, which hindered my understanding. But I see what you mean now.

Great! Thanks, Mr. M.
0

Related Questions