The question is out for anybody to answer.

Question

Is there such an expression as: "the question is out for anybody to answer", meaning: ok, I've done the question, now try to answer (especially difficult questions, like: where do we come from...)

Avangi · Accepted Answer

It works for me, but it might work a little better if you used "out there."

"The question is out" is something like "The news is out." It almost implies "recently."

"The question is just out." "The news is just out."

Welcome to English Forums, Interventizio. Thanks for joining us!

Interventizio · Answer

Thanks I appreciate your answer.

I have another doubt.

When to use This/That when referring to something you have just written. Ex.: "Man is a very intelligent creature. That can be said also for dolphins". And about using "this" instead: "This can be said of dolphins and humans: they are intelligent creatures", becuse here the content comes afterwards. Do I always have to use that in those situations? Are there exceptions? Can you give me some examples of these exceptions?

Thank you so much.

Avangi · Answer

Your explanation of "this" is a rather special case. It's like making an announcement: This is what I'm going to say: "Let there be light!" "This" is not at all restricted to these situations. That is, the thing you're "pointing to" does not need to come after the demonstrative pronoun.

The difference between "this" and "that" is the difference between the near and the far. This one is mine; that one is yours.

I heard what he said to you yesterday. That was a lie.

When we're having a discussion, we may use "this" and "that" freely to indicate which points we wish to call attention to. The thing we're talking about right now may be "this." What your friend just said may be "that." It's up to you.

What do you think of the new health care legislation? (reply) I think this is very important / I think that is very important.
If you say "this," you may mean to indicate that you want to talk about it. If you say "that," you may mean to indicate that you're not really interested.

In your example about man and dolphins, where you're talking about ideas, there are not really any limitations on using "that" vs. "this." "This can be said about dolphins" is fine.

Well, I guess you can't use "that" as a demonstrative pronoun to announce something you plan to say. I think ~~that~~ / this can be said of dolphins: they are very intelligent.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you!!!

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you! Very exhaustive clarifications!

The question is out for anybody to answer.

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions