Expression: He was a member of the medical profession

[Tamara]

Hi

'member of (the) profession' was new for me, but now I know from thefreedictionary that:

[MrPedantic]

Hello Tamara

The expression is used of many different professions: legal, teaching, medical, nursing, dental, actuarial, journalistic, theatrical, etc. Also humorously: "he's a member of the busybodying profession".

But on the whole, "legal", "teaching", and "medical" are probably the most common.

I myself would usually say "teacher", "solicitor", etc. But like many periphrastic expressions, it's useful if you want to convey "distance"; or if you want to emphasise the "professional" aspect of the occupation.

All the best,

MrP

[Yankee]

It's nice to see you here, MrP.

[Tamara]

Hi
Thanks a lot, MrPedantic and Amy.

[Alan]

Hi Tamara,

These words:

jurisprudence = law ?

Well this means the science or philosphy of law - sort of fancy word. People usually go for the Latin when they want to impress

solicitor – a person practising in the area ?

This person is usually office based and deals with things like house purchase/divorce/wills/ and supports a barrister who is the one appearing for/against the accused in a court of law

lawyer ? (just qualified in the law?)
Generally a name for someone qualified in/practising the law. A generic name as is teacher.

legal - an adverb describing what?

Adjective describing anything to do with the law as in: legal representative/age/question/matters/aid.

Alan
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[Tamara]

Thank you, Alan.
It’s very useful to see the definitions altogether

So, a solicitor is a lawyer, but a lawyer can be not only a solicitor. OK.

Legal makes more emphasis on the professional activity, whereas law – more on the knowledge area itself.

If this simplification is acceptable, roughly and 'generally', thanks a lot!
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[sls]

[Conchita]

[sls]

[Conchita]

'That's English/life/children, etc. for you' is an expression of resignation that has the sense of 'That's how it is/you'll have to accept it as it is/there's nothing you can do about it'.

As for the legal terminology, you seem to know more than I do. According to the dictionary, a district attorney (abbreviation DA) is "a lawyer whose job is to represent the government in a particular area of the US".

Legal dictionaries should be of help to you:

http://www.lexscripta.com/legal/dictionaries/general.html

[Tamara]

Hi Conchita

Are the commonly used expression like 'Such is life' (or the well famous French original(?) phrase ) or 'Such is the world' are the exact equivalents (in meaning) to 'That’s life', etc?
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Alan]

Hi Conchita,

Just for the record I'd like to say how spot on your explanations always are. Makes me feel quite 'umble.

Alan
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You can read my EFL story Book Expressions

[Conchita]

[Tamara]

Thanks, Conchita. Your explanations are perfect.
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[sls]

I would like to express my gratitude too, Conchita. I found the information I was looking for by following your link.
I should have googled it myself but... C'est la vie.
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