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MrPernickety Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary
Question about articles
Hi,
Could you please tell me which sentences are correct ?
1. He took pleasure/joy in pitching crumpled paper balls into the waste basket
2. He took a pleasure/joy in pitching crumpled paper balls into the waste basket
3. He took sick pleasure/joy in pitching crumpled paper balls into the waste basket
4. He took a sick pleasure/joy in pitching crumpled paper balls into the waste basket
(In my opinion, only 1 and 4 are correct)
Many thanks !
Could you please tell me which sentences are correct ?
1. He took pleasure/joy in pitching crumpled paper balls into the waste basket
2. He took a pleasure/joy in pitching crumpled paper balls into the waste basket
3. He took sick pleasure/joy in pitching crumpled paper balls into the waste basket
4. He took a sick pleasure/joy in pitching crumpled paper balls into the waste basket
(In my opinion, only 1 and 4 are correct)
Many thanks !
Top answer
Only 1 and 3 are correct to my ear. " Here are some examples where "sick" would fit. He took sick pleasure in pulling the wings off of flies.
- Only 1 and 3 are correct to my ear.
- " Here are some examples where "sick" would fit.
- He took sick pleasure in pulling the wings off of flies.
- He took sick pleasure in burning ants with a magnifying glass.
- "
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4 Answers
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Only 1 and 3 are correct to my ear. I don't think I would use "sick" in this context though and certainly not "sick joy."
Here are some examples where "sick" would fit.
He took sick pleasure in pulling the wings off of flies.
He took sick pleasure in burning ants with a magnifying glass.
Ev
Here are some examples where "sick" would fit.
He took sick pleasure in pulling the wings off of flies.
He took sick pleasure in burning ants with a magnifying glass.
Ev
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I totally agree that sick is not right in the original sentences. Sick implies that a creepy or evil action is being done. Throwing paper in the trash can is rather benign.
I think I would say, "He took a sick pleasure..." It was one sick pleasure; he had many.
I think I would say, "He took a sick pleasure..." It was one sick pleasure; he had many.
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Thank you, guys, for chiming in !
I in fact meant "sick pleasure" only ))) I didn't mean "sick joy", I accidentally put "joy" there )))
In passing, I read in a book this sentence "he took a strange joy in ..."
Do you think "strange" collocates nicely with "joy" ?
Also, would you concur with the author as to the use of the indefinite article in that sampl
I in fact meant "sick pleasure" only ))) I didn't mean "sick joy", I accidentally put "joy" there )))
In passing, I read in a book this sentence "he took a strange joy in ..."
Do you think "strange" collocates nicely with "joy" ?
Also, would you concur with the author as to the use of the indefinite article in that sampl
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MrPernicketyIn passing, I read in a book this sentence "he took a strange joy in ..."Yes, and yes. Abstract nouns usually take no article when they stand alone, but often take an ar
Do you think "strange" collocates nicely with "joy" ?
Also, would you concur with the author as to the use of the indefinite article in that sample?
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