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Tuongvan Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Please help with by sight

Dear teachers,
Can I say like this?

Good morning sir, I have heard about you for a long time but only by sight today

Thank you in advance
  

Top answer

Tuongvan Good morning sir, I have heard about you for a long time but only by sight today This is a highly unlikely combination, I'd say. What real-life situation are you trying to simulate here? Are you meeting someone famous or someone important, like a celebrity or a head of state, for the first time?

— CalifJim

  • Tuongvan Good morning sir, I have heard about you for a long time but only by sight today This is a highly unlikely combination, I'd say.
  • What real-life situation are you trying to simulate here?
  • Are you meeting someone famous or someone important, like a celebrity or a head of state, for the first time?
  • CJ
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15 Answers
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TuongvanGood morning sir, I have heard about you for a long time but only by sight today
This is a highly unlikely combination, I'd say. What real-life situation are you trying to simulate here? Are you meeting someone famous or someone important, like a celebrity or a head of state, for the first time?

CJ
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No, Iam meeting someone who is ordinary such as my friend's uncle, brother etc.,
By the way how should I say if this person is a famous one like you mentioned?

Thanks
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TuongvanNo, Iam meeting someone who is ordinary such as my friend's uncle, brother etc.,
You could say a large variety of things.

It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you. It's good to see you in person at last.

Other forum members may have additional suggestions.
TuongvanBy the way how shoul
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The same sentence is discussed in this thread:
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YankeeThe same sentence is discussed in this thread
Ah! I didn't realize that.

So the origin of the desire to put "by sight" in this context comes from having read it in some literary work.

Tuongvan,

The practice of transferring phrases from literary works into everyday speech is sometimes effective as a way of increasing one's skill
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Hi Califjim,

Maybe Tuongvan wants to say that she hasn't met Mr Obama face-to-face until today even though she has heard tell of him for a long time formerly.I suggest this:

Hi, Mr.Obama, I've heard about you for a long time, but I didn't have a chance to meet you face-to-face until today.

or
Hi, Mr.Obama, I've heard about you for a long time, but only face-to-face
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MonalisatuanHi, Mr.Obama, I've heard about you for a long time, but never face-to-face until today.
Sorry, Monalisatuan, but Tuongvan has already asked about that sentence (in the other thread) and I've already told Tuongvan that sentence does not work either. That is why I made a suggestion for a possible rewording.

You can say something such as "ta
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Hi Yankee,

So, can I say like this?

Hi, Mr.Obama, I've heard about you for a long time, but I didn't have a chance to meet you face-to-face until today.

or
Hi, Mr.Obama, I've heard about you for a long time, but only face-to-face today.
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Hi, Monalisatuan,
Your idea is exactly what I want to express, but I want to make sure the sentences are grammatically correct and natural to native ears. Could any native speakers help me by telling me Monalisatuan's sentences are natural?

Hi, Mr.Obama, I've heard about you for a long time, but I didn't have a chance to meet you face-to-face until today.

or
Hi, Mr.Obam
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Hi Tuongvan,

I would think these sentences are quite ok, both in grammar and meaning:

Hi, Mr.Obama, I've heard about you for a long time, but I didn't have a chance to meet you face-to-face until today.

or

Hi, Mr.Obama, I've heard about you for a long time, but only face-to-face today.

Hi, Mr.Obama, I've heard about you for a long time, but( I ) didn
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