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Osee Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary

strange phrases in English

Would you like to join me to list strange phrases in English? These phrases seem to be against common senses, at least at your first glance.

I initialize the list by the phase Many a student. (What a nonsense structure! Emotion: smile Why not just many students Emotion: smile)

Example: Many a student has passed the test (This should equal saying that many students have passed the test, right?).
  

Top answer

Hi, No, say 'Many a student is a boy'. I think it's more often used with verbs other than 'be', eg 'Many a student hates homework'. Clive

— Clive

  • Hi, No, say 'Many a student is a boy'.
  • I think it's more often used with verbs other than 'be', eg 'Many a student hates homework'.
  • Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,

No, say 'Many a student is a boy'.

I think it's more often used with verbs other than 'be', eg 'Many a student hates homework'.

Clive
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Yes, Clive. You post the following info while my modifying my post. Emotion: smile
CliveHi,

No, say 'Many a stude
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Hi Clive,

When do we generally use such structures? Is it proper to use them in formal contexts?
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Hi,

It seems like a rhetorical device, something you would use in 'fancy' speaking or writing.

Johnny Cash sings a song about war, in which there is a line, "Many a good man I saw fall" (ie die).

Best wishes, Clive
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Thank you Clive.
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