0
Gene93 Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary
to gnaw/chew through a cable
Hello,
Which of the sentences below sound fine to you:
- A rat had finally gnawed through the cable - I think it's fine.
- A rat had finally chewed the cable - I wouldn't say that.
- A rat had finally chewed through the cable - I wouldn't use it.
I might be wrong, though. What do you think?
Which of the sentences below sound fine to you:
- A rat had finally gnawed through the cable - I think it's fine.
- A rat had finally chewed the cable - I wouldn't say that.
- A rat had finally chewed through the cable - I wouldn't use it.
I might be wrong, though. What do you think?
Top answer
The first one is correct, but the context would have to fit. The word "finally" would restrict this to a particular situation. The second one would only be correct in a very unusual situation.
- The first one is correct, but the context would have to fit.
- The word "finally" would restrict this to a particular situation.
- The second one would only be correct in a very unusual situation.
- For example, an experiment where a rat is given a selection of materials to chew on.
- The third one is the same as the first one and can be used interchangeably with it.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
The first one is correct, but the context would have to fit. The word "finally" would restrict this to a particular situation.
The second one would only be correct in a very unusual situation. For example, an experiment where a rat is given a selection of materials to chew on.
The third one is the same as the first one and can be used interchangeably with it.
The second one would only be correct in a very unusual situation. For example, an experiment where a rat is given a selection of materials to chew on.
The third one is the same as the first one and can be used interchangeably with it.
00
What in your opinion is the difference between chew and gnaw? I think chew implies something soft, whereas gnaw doesn't. Dogs might be more likely to "gnaw on bones". Also, I think we chew on things that are inside the mouth and that's not necessarily the case with gnaw.
00
They have the same basic meaning - to work something with the teeth - and are often interchangeable, but the sense and emphasis can be slightly different. "Chew" is the most general term. "Gnaw" has a more specialized usage and can have humorous implications. With dogs and bones "gnaw" is usually used, particularly if humor is intended. With rodents, like rats, beavers, gophers, etc., "gnaw" i
0
Related Questions