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Muzabee Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Pull on
1. John pulled the rope
2. John pulled on the rope
3. The cat bit the leather strap.
4. The cat bit on the leather strap.
Hello, teachers !!
It is difficult for me to understand what changes in their meanings from 1 to 2 sentence and 3 to 4.
Is the meaning of #2 sentence that John pulled the rope 'continually', or that John put his hands on the rope and then pulled it?
In the same way, is the meaning of #4 sentence that the cat bit the leather strap 'continually', or that the cat put its teeth on the leather strap and then bit it?
Thank you in advance.
2. John pulled on the rope
3. The cat bit the leather strap.
4. The cat bit on the leather strap.
Hello, teachers !!
It is difficult for me to understand what changes in their meanings from 1 to 2 sentence and 3 to 4.
Is the meaning of #2 sentence that John pulled the rope 'continually', or that John put his hands on the rope and then pulled it?
In the same way, is the meaning of #4 sentence that the cat bit the leather strap 'continually', or that the cat put its teeth on the leather strap and then bit it?
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
No, there is no great difference. 'On' is just a sort of intensifier, in that it makes the action more 'active', more graphic. That's how it seems to me.
- No, there is no great difference.
- 'On' is just a sort of intensifier, in that it makes the action more 'active', more graphic.
- That's how it seems to me.
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4 Answers
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No, there is no great difference. 'On' is just a sort of intensifier, in that it makes the action more 'active', more graphic. That's how it seems to me.
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Mister MicawberNo, there is no great difference. 'On' is just a sort of intensifier, in that it makes the action more 'active', more graphic. That's how it seems to me.Thank you for the answer.
But, as you said, if 'on' in the above sentence is just a intensifier which makes the action more active and graphic, can you explain me a little more abou
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But, as you said, if 'on' in the above sentence is just a intensifier which makes the action more active and graphic, can you explain me a little more about the nuance of it? What kind of 'active' or 'graphic' images do you think of in the #2 and 4 sentences?-- I just envision John pulling and the cat biting more clearly when I read them.
Here is one dictionary definition
Here is one dictionary definition
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Thank you for your taking time replying again.
Prepositions are the most difficult grammer part for me.
I'll work on my English study so that I can come back with more concrete and interesting questions.
Prepositions are the most difficult grammer part for me.
I'll work on my English study so that I can come back with more concrete and interesting questions.
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