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Ali.h Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
"Tad"
The word "tad" as in "This painting is a tad bit depressing". I believe it was on dictionary.com that it said this word is a noun, but I ask how is it a noun?! should it not be an adverb?
Top answer
Hello. In my opinion, it does seem as if "tad" functions as an adverb, although an article precedes it. I found an insightful explanation of the word/expression in a book titled Common Errors in English Usage by Paul Brians.
- Hello.
- In my opinion, it does seem as if "tad" functions as an adverb, although an article precedes it.
- I found an insightful explanation of the word/expression in a book titled Common Errors in English Usage by Paul Brians.
- ” Some people combine this with the equivalent expression "a bit" and say "a tad bit".
- This is redundant.
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4 Answers
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Hello. In my opinion, it does seem as if "tad" functions as an adverb, although an article precedes it. I found an insightful explanation of the word/expression in a book titled Common Errors in English Usage by Paul Brians.
A “tad” was originally a small boy, but this word evolved into the expression “a tad” meaning “very small” or “very slightly”: “The movie was a tad long
A “tad” was originally a small boy, but this word evolved into the expression “a tad” meaning “very small” or “very slightly”: “The movie was a tad long
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Not a noun here, obviously, but an adverb. Consider it a fixed phrase: 'a tad bit' = 'a little'.
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I don't care in the least what label is the right one for a tad but for all those interested, this is what the Random House Unabridged Dictionary says about it:
tad, n. Informal.
1. a small child, esp. a boy.
2. a very small amount or degree; bit: Please shift your chair a tad to the right. The frosting could use a tad
tad, n. Informal.
1. a small child, esp. a boy.
2. a very small amount or degree; bit: Please shift your chair a tad to the right. The frosting could use a tad
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vocabfishSome people combine this with the equivalent expression "a bit" and say "a tad bit". This is redundant. Just say "a bit" or "a tad".I agree with Mr. Brians. It sounds completely redundant to me -- though I admit people do say it.
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