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 #2 (permalink) Wed Nov 08, 2006 14:04 pm Words |
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Hi Tamara,
You asked:
| Quote: |
1.
his labour of love
(a/the) labour of his love
Which use is right?
2. Actually, I need to write something like ‘He entirely put (even, I'd say, 'insert' ) his soul in (into?) his job/work.’
This is the way how it would sound in my first language. The exact meaning of what I actually want to write.
My multi-dictionary system offers me several ways to express the idea in English. They are the following: have heart in work
put back into work
put one's heart
put one's heart and soul into something
lend soul to a task
Hmm... heart… soul… back… heart and soul...
put... have... lend...
Do they all sound the same to you from the point of meaning? Emotionalilty? |
I think I'd change (1) to : It is a labour of love with him/her/them
(2) To me 'heart' would often be used in a negative way with 'in' as: Her/his heart isn't in the job suggesting that there is not any enthusiasm.
Put your heart (and soul) into something suggests total dedication and enthusiasm
Put your back into something suggests also the idea of some physical task
Lend soul to a task is a touch airy-fairy and could, I suppose, indicate do something spiritually but it's a bit woolly.
A
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English as a Second Language
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Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 13891
Location: UK
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| #3 (permalink) Wed Nov 08, 2006 17:40 pm A labour of love |
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| Quote: |
| It is a labour of love with him/her/them |
with him?!
Thank you, Alan...
Actually, that's English...
Many, many thanks for your brief and clear (distinctive) definitions.
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Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK
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| The use of thus: 'Hold the wheel in both hands, thus' | Meaning of 'clear' in the expression 'Stand clear' |
