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Cho7712 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
sure
The followings are the definitions of the adjective 'sure',
1. Sure is used to emphasize that something such as a sign or ability is reliable or accurate.
2.If you say that something is sure to happen, you are emphasizing your belief that it will happen.
Examples of each types are
1. a sure sign, a sure bet
2. It is sure to rain, The exhibition is sure to be popular.
And here are my questions.
a. Can 'a sure sign ' be rewritten as 'a sign is sure'?
b. Is it right to say that the following two sentences
belong to the type 2?
'One thing is sure', 'Death is sure'
c. the following formation always refers to the time yet to
come ?
'inanimate subject + be(present tense) + sure'
d. Is it correct to think of this sentence in the following way?
One thing was sure. =
One thing was sure (to happen/exist... but it didn't)
1. Sure is used to emphasize that something such as a sign or ability is reliable or accurate.
2.If you say that something is sure to happen, you are emphasizing your belief that it will happen.
Examples of each types are
1. a sure sign, a sure bet
2. It is sure to rain, The exhibition is sure to be popular.
And here are my questions.
a. Can 'a sure sign ' be rewritten as 'a sign is sure'?
b. Is it right to say that the following two sentences
belong to the type 2?
'One thing is sure', 'Death is sure'
c. the following formation always refers to the time yet to
come ?
'inanimate subject + be(present tense) + sure'
d. Is it correct to think of this sentence in the following way?
One thing was sure. =
One thing was sure (to happen/exist... but it didn't)
Top answer
cho7712 a. Can 'a sure sign ' be rewritten as 'a sign is sure'? ' cho7712 b.
- cho7712 a.
- Can 'a sure sign ' be rewritten as 'a sign is sure'?
- ' cho7712 b.
- Is it right to say that the following two sentences belong to the type 2?
- ' I'm sorry, but I can't explain why.
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4 Answers
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cho7712a. Can 'a sure sign ' be rewritten as 'a sign is sure'?No; It is used this way: 'It's a sure sign that it will rain.'
cho7712b. Is it right to say that the following two sentences belong to the type 2? 'One thing is sure', 'Death is sure'Yes, but usually we say instead that 'Death is a certainty.' I'm sorry, but I c
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Thanks for your reply,
All is clear now with the help of your answer.
As to the third question, I think my speculation has gone too far.
I just wondered if there is such a grammar rule because all the examples already shown (One thing is sure, Death is sure, The weather is sure to be wet..) look like referring to the future.
All is clear now with the help of your answer.
As to the third question, I think my speculation has gone too far.
I just wondered if there is such a grammar rule because all the examples already shown (One thing is sure, Death is sure, The weather is sure to be wet..) look like referring to the future.
00
I see what you mean. But it can be used this way:
One thing is sure: he is brilliant.
It's a sure thing that we were mistaken.
One thing is sure: he is brilliant.
It's a sure thing that we were mistaken.
00
Thanks for your answer,
I was in the mistaken belief that sure introduces conditional state.
The examples in your answer are of great help.
I was in the mistaken belief that sure introduces conditional state.
The examples in your answer are of great help.
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