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Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:40 am Well-worn truism: "Two and two makes four" |
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. Yes, but this is not a proverb, to my knowledge, it is just a well-worn truism. . _________________ Canadian-American native speaker who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach

Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 3883 Location: Yokohama, Japan
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Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:56 am Well-worn truism: "Two and two makes four" |
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Dear Mr. Micawber
Could you please tell me what well known truisms are? When and how are they used?
Thanks in advance
Tom |
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Tom I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 1976
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Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:16 am Well-worn truism: "Two and two makes four" |
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. Well-worn, not well-known. This is not a linguistic term; it is part of my conversation about language. Proverbs are traditional sayings that provide advice: forewarned is forearmed; a stitch in time saves nine.
Two and two make(s) four, however, tells us nothing; it is a boring, obvious truth, like Six of one and half a dozen of the other or That's what you get. They are little conversation fillers, sociolinguistic devices to grease the wheels of communication. They are also called cliches, bromides, set phrases, etc. . _________________ Canadian-American native speaker who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach

Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 3883 Location: Yokohama, Japan
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| 'Act' (adverb+adjective) | 'own' as an adjective |