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Angliholic Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
The new formular holds the secret for/of beauty
The new formula holds the secret for/of beauty. Try it for two weeks and you'll see the difference of your skin.
I wonder if both for and of fit in the above context. If yes, are they the same in meaning? Thanks.
I wonder if both for and of fit in the above context. If yes, are they the same in meaning? Thanks.
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12 Answers
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Hi Angliholic,
Use "for." (At least, in the U.S., that's the one you'd expect.)
Use "for." (At least, in the U.S., that's the one you'd expect.)
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Thanks, GG.
But could "holds the secret of beauty" mean "holds the beauty's secret," whereas "holds the secret for beauty" refer to "holds the secret for the purpose of beauty?"
But could "holds the secret of beauty" mean "holds the beauty's secret," whereas "holds the secret for beauty" refer to "holds the secret for the purpose of beauty?"
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It holds the secret to become more beautiful, which is what I think the original intention was.
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Grammar GeekIt holds the secret to become more beautiful, which is what I think the original intention was.Concurred, GG.
But don't you think "of" also does the trick in the context?
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Almost.
In truth, I woldn't give it much thought as I was writing or saying it in "normal" speech, but it's only when we start getting really picky about things like we do in here that difference become apparent. Or maybe they only seem apparent, and no difference exist.
The secret "of" beauty sounds a little like you have personified "beauty" and whatever is in the jar is the s
In truth, I woldn't give it much thought as I was writing or saying it in "normal" speech, but it's only when we start getting really picky about things like we do in here that difference become apparent. Or maybe they only seem apparent, and no difference exist.
The secret "of" beauty sounds a little like you have personified "beauty" and whatever is in the jar is the s
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Grammar GeekAlmost.
In truth, I woldn't give it much thought as I was writing or saying it in "normal" speech, but it's only when we start getting really picky about things like we do in here that difference become apparent. Or maybe they only seem apparent, and no difference exist.
The secret "of" beauty sounds a little like you have personified "beaut
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It means I may not know what I'm talking about. Another exression is "talking through my hat."
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Grammar GeekIt means I may not know what I'm talking about. Another exression is "talking through my hat."Thanks, GG.
Equally amusing is "talking through my hat." Now i'm intrigued. Could you shed more light on the stories behind those two fun expressions? If we know their stories, it's easier for us to memorize their meanings.
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Hi,
We say things like 'Men have searched for years for the secret of eternal youth'. In this sense, we mean the key to eternal youth. It sounds like there is only one such key, and when you find it, you will definitely achieve eternal youth.
Actually, they (most notably the Spaniard, Ponce de Leon) searched for 'the fountain of youth'.
Best wishes,
We say things like 'Men have searched for years for the secret of eternal youth'. In this sense, we mean the key to eternal youth. It sounds like there is only one such key, and when you find it, you will definitely achieve eternal youth.
Actually, they (most notably the Spaniard, Ponce de Leon) searched for 'the fountain of youth'.
Best wishes,
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Thanks, Clive, for your interest in this forum.
A small aside, which will you use, for or of?
A small aside, which will you use, for or of?
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