To whom do I owe the pleasure?
Could anyone tell whether these 2 phrases are used correctly
To whom do I owe the pleasure?
This is a polite but formal way of enquiring, “to whom am I indebted for this act of kindness? Right?
Like if someone texted you after many years, you could say To whom do I owe the pleasure? Right ?
To what do I owe the the pleasure?
One might say when visited by a friend one hasn’t seen for a long time. Right?
Are both the differences correct?
Thanks
Top answer
generally speaking, people don't say this anymore. Your first example doesn't work because (I assume) you know who texted you. Your second example doesn't work, because you can see who is visiting you.
- generally speaking, people don't say this anymore.
- Your first example doesn't work because (I assume) you know who texted you.
- Your second example doesn't work, because you can see who is visiting you.
- It seems to me that you may be learning English from a book that is out of date.
- Clive
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generally speaking, people don't say this anymore.
Your first example doesn't work because (I assume) you know who texted you.
Your second example doesn't work, because you can see who is visiting you.
It seems to me that you may be learning English from a book that is out of date.
Clive
0anonymousTo what do I owe the the pleasure?
This is the standard form along with "To what do I owe this pleasure?" "To whom" is not possible in modern English except as a jocular variant. It is only used as a mock-formal greeting upon the occasion of an unexpected visit, and it might well be taken as ironic if, for instance, you say it to the Secret Police
0
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