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Teal lime Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

We have a saying that goes like this or We have a saying that goes something like this

Which of the following sentences is correctly written?

1) In Italian, we have a saying that goes like this: "Better alone than in poor company."

2) In Italian, we have a saying that goes something like this: "Better alone than in poor company."

If both are possible, which is preferable?

Thank you

  

Top answer

1) is better. The "something like this" in 2) is unnecessary and makes the sentence too wordy, thereby reducing the impact of the saying.

  • 1) is better.
  • The "something like this" in 2) is unnecessary and makes the sentence too wordy, thereby reducing the impact of the saying.
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2 Answers
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1) is better. The "something like this" in 2) is unnecessary and makes the sentence too wordy, thereby reducing the impact of the saying.

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Those are both possible, but (2) is less specific that these are the actual words, i.e. it allows some variation in wording. Because there seems little reason to change anything very much, and because "like" itself also implies a little leeway, (1) seems sufficient.

I think it should be "In Italy we have a saying ..." because you are not actually presenting the Italian-language ve

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