Slender or slim?
In an English test taken a few weeks ago I was given a dialogue (2 sentences) that was supposed to contain mistakes. From grammatical point of view I detected none. Please see below:
-John has been very ill lately.
- Yes, indeed. He looks rather slender these days.
However, the tutor considered I made a mistake as I didn't perceive the meaning of the adjective which bears a positive meaning and cannot be used in that context. . If you are ill, you cannot look "slender". But if you go to the gym, yes.
I checked the dictionaries and didn't see any reference.
Was the tutor right?
Top answer
I am a tall, slim man. I often get people saying that I'm slim, which I accept as a positive comment. However, if someone said I was slender, I would be a bit surprised as it is used less and seems a little more personal.
- I am a tall, slim man.
- I often get people saying that I'm slim, which I accept as a positive comment.
- However, if someone said I was slender, I would be a bit surprised as it is used less and seems a little more personal.
- The word that I would find negative is 'thin'.
- If you were to use the word 'thin' to describe someone, it would mean they needed to put on some weight as they were probably not healthy.
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I am a tall, slim man. I often get people saying that I'm slim, which I accept as a positive comment. However, if someone said I was slender, I would be a bit surprised as it is used less and seems a little more personal. The word that I would find negative is 'thin'. If you were to use the word 'thin' to describe someone, it would mean they needed to put on some weight as they were probab
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