Usage of "enter into it"

Question

Hi,Could you tell me if the following two sentences I just composed sound fine to a native speaker's ear?1. I passed my driving test because I prepared all too well. Luck doesn't enter into it.2. They are always asking me how studious a student should be to prepare for the finals, and I shrug my shoulders every time because in my book studiousness doesn't enter into it.Thanks !

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Your use of the "bolded" phrase is perfectly good, but there are other problems in your sentences.

MrPernickety · Answer

Thanks, Avangi !

Avangithere are other problems in your sentences.

Could you point out the problems, please?

Avangi · Answer

****! You're too quick for me.  I just did, but I got Oooopsed.  When will I learn?

Avangi · Answer

MrPernickety 1. I passed my driving test because I prepared all too well. Luck doesn't enter into it.

2. They are always asking me how studious a student should be to prepare for the finals, and I shrug my shoulders every time because in my book studiousness doesn't enter into it. "All too well" should have an element of dread, or ominousness:
When my father told me to take down my pants, I knew all too well what was coming.

". . . how studious a student should be to prepare for" is clearly understood, but not idiomatic to my ear. I'd say:
". . . how studious a student should be in preparing for etc."
". . . how well prepared a student should be to take the finals."

People for whom English is a second language often use "too much" to mean a good thing:
The jive expression is idiomatic - "Man, you're too much!" "Wow! She's too beautiful!"

But not - "We went to the beach, and we had too much fun!" (meaning, "a lot of fun")

John Claset · Answer

I'm a native American speaker, and many people would find that saying quite odd.
There is a saying that is similar though.

Here's how I would say it.

1. I passed my driving test because I prepared all too well. Luck has nothing to do with it.
2. They are always asking me how studious a student should be to prepare for the finals, and I shrug my shoulders everytime because in my book studiousness has nothing to do with it.

MrPernickety · Answer

Thank you, Avangi, for the help and for going to the trouble of reposting again after you got oopsed. That oops thing is really frustrating and off puting! There otta be a law against it!

Thanks, John, for chiming in on the subject, I appreciate your help!

MichalS · Answer

Hi Avangi!

What do you mean by 'idiomatic'?

Are you saying that"Wow! She's too beautiful!" means 'not really beautiful'?

I know for a fact that too means also 'very' in a formal register, for example:"Thank you, you are too kind."

Avangi · Answer

MichalS What do you mean by 'idiomatic'?

Are you saying that"Wow! She's too beautiful!" means 'not really beautiful'?

I know for a fact that too means also 'very' in a formal register, for example:"Thank you, you are too kind." Hi, MichalS.
I think we're on the same page. "Idiomatic" is good, not bad! If a person's speech is in the style and manner of a "correct speaking" native speaker, we'd say,
"He's idiomatic."
"His speech is idiomatic."
"The expressions he uses are idiomatic."

Idioms are also idiomatic, but they're special rather than normal. They use normal words in special ways.
Edit. I guess "normal" is not exactly the right word here. Idioms use words in ways that don't exactly conform to strict dictionary usage.

but not idiomatic to my ear. I'd say:
". . . how studious a student should be in preparing for etc."
". . . how well prepared a student should be to take the finals."

People for whom English is a second language often use "too much" to mean a good thing:
The jive expression is idiomatic - "Man, you're too much!" "Wow! She's too beautiful!"

I meant to say that "too" is generally used to mean a bad thing: "You're driving too fast!" "You gave me too much coffee." "My coffee cup is too full."

I'll grant you that I failed to accomodate expressions like "You are too kind," which, as you say, is in a formal register.
On the other hand, I wouldn't say that "You are too beautiful" is in a formal register.
In my opinion, both expressions are idioms, and both are laudatory (i.e., good things rather than bad.) But one is formal and one is rather casual.
"Man, you're too much!" is jive.

MichalS · Answer

Thanks, Avangi. I see your point now.

Avangi · Answer

MrPernickety 2. They are always asking me how studious a student should be to prepare for the finals

Hi, Pernickety.
I hate beating dead horses, but a revisit to this clause tells me I didn't explain myself.
The problem is the nature of the verb "to prepare." In your example, it describes what may well be a long process. "Are you ready to prepare for the exam?"

"How ready should you be to prepare for the exam?" (Did you sleep well? - take your smart pills?)

In other words, we're talking about the preparation for the preparation.
"How studious should you be to prepare for the exam?"
"Jane is not studious enough to prepare for the exam! (She's plain stupid!)"
(She never will be studious enough to prepare for the exam.)

But this is not what you mean (I don't think).
You don't mean to describe the person's condition prior to the preparation.
You mean to describe the person's behavior during the preparation.
Hence we say, "How studious should one be in preparing for the exam?"

Usage of "enter into it"

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