Unfreeze- thaw

Question

Hello, could you help me with these?The sentences are within a recipe context: 1)"Peel and slice the banana without unfreezing it".2) Make sure the ingredients don´t become unfrozen.I have found the entry in the Merriam Webster un·freezePronunciation: \-'frez\Function: transitive verbInflected Form(s): un·froze \-'froz\; un·fro·zen \-'fro-z?n\; un·freez·ingDate: 15841 : to cause to thaw2 : to remove from a freeze &lt;unfreeze wages&gt;3) Blend them FOR 5 minutes (I think this one is right)4) Put the cap on the blender because if not the mix will get out. (this one does not sound natural, but the person has pre intermediate level).  How should he have written? e) "Put the blender at a maximum speed for five minutes" Does this sound correct? I think so.Thank you!

Avangi · Accepted Answer

In #4, I'd say "the ingredients will fly out." (When things are impelled, they can fly without wings or a propeller.)

Everything else sounds okay to me.

Do you have specific questions?

I think "unfreeze" can be intransitive, with due respects to MW.
(Perhaps you need to scroll down a bit.)

Soprano · Answer

Thank you.

My question is: Are the sentences correct? Is number 4 correct? Is it correct to say " put the cap on the blender...." and as the student is pre intermediate, was it ungramatical to say "if not the ingredients will get out".

Also number 1 and 2. Do you agree with their grammar?

Thank you

Avangi · Answer

SopranoMy question is: Are the sentences correct? Is number 4 correct? Is it correct to say " put the cap on the blender.." and as the student is pre intermediate, was it ungramatical to say "if not the ingredients will get out".
Also number 1 and 2. Do you agree with their grammar?

4) Put the cap on the blender because if not the mix will get out. (this one does not sound natural, but the person has pre intermediate level). How should he have written?
This is grammatical but not natural. I don't believe it would be said by a native speaker who has ever operated a blender.
Perhaps if you were adding live worms (very good protein) you'd say "the worms will get out."

"Put the cap on the blender" is natural.

1)"Peel and slice the banana without unfreezing it".

2) Make sure the ingredients don't become unfrozen.

I take these to be grammatical and natural.

Soprano · Answer

I completely understood each of your comments.

You have helped me a lot! Thank you!!!!

Avangi · Answer

Soprano4) Put the cap on the blender because if not the mix will get out.

I had one more thought on the famous #4.
Concerning the use of "if not," some may find a lack of parallel structure here. My ear accepts it, but it occurs to me that it's a kind of shorthand for "If you don't."

Do X, because if you don't, Y will happen. "To put" is an action verb.

X should be Y, because if it isn't, Z will happen. "To be" is a being verb.

"If not" really means "If it is not." What we really need is, "If you do not."

I hope this isn't too tough. Perhaps someone else can explain it better.

You could say, "The cap must be [put] on the blender. If not, the ingredients will fly out."

By using passive voice, or simply using the "being" verb, the "if not" tag works.

OR, you can stick with the imperative "put it on" and add "because if you don't, etc."

I hope I'm not confusing you.

- A.

Soprano · Answer

You are very clear. thank you!!!!

Anonymous · Answer

I would use "otherwise" instead of "if not."

Unfreeze- thaw

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