|
|
 #2 (permalink) Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:33 am The usage of "what with" |
|
|
Hi Tom,
'What with' introduces another situation, another factor. Take this as an example: What with the problem with his health, his low income and the bad weather, poor Charlie is really fed up. This construction refers to yet another annoying, irritating matter that makes for a difficult situation. It's similar to: And on top of all that we have something else that's gone wrong.
A
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A funny thing happened... |
|
Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 9191
Location: UK
|
|
| #3 (permalink) Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:37 am the usage of "what with" |
|
|
Hi Tom
To me, 'what with' is used to introduce a fact or facts which provide a reason or explanation for something else -- similar to 'because of' . Sometimes people just use the word 'with'.
What with the the high cost of living in this area, double income households are the norm.
What with all the screaming and cheering after he won, no one could hear much of his acceptance speech.
It really was a wonderful day what with the radiant sunshine, the picnic in Central Park and the company of good friends.
Amy |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA
|
 |
| #4 (permalink) Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:53 am the usage of "what with" |
|
|
Hi Tom,
Thought I might add a bit more to the 'what with' use. Often when you want to express the idea that you've been very busy with all sorts of things and you want to explain this as the reason for your delay in doing something, you say:
What with one thing and another I haven't had a moment to sit down and reply to your letter.
Just a thought.
A
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story A New Season |
|
Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 9191
Location: UK
|
|
| #5 (permalink) Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:36 am the usage of "what with" |
|
|
I am extremely grateful to both of you!
Is my attempt at "with what" OK?
1- With what his illness and other problems, he decided to resign for the job.
2- With what his rudness and inconsideration, she lost her trust in all army personnel.
Do we agree?
Tom |
|
Tom
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 2061
|
|
| #6 (permalink) Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:43 am the usage of "what with" |
|
|
Hi Tom,
Sorry, no go with either of them. It's a sort of unfinished construction. Half of : With what his illness did to him .....
By the way the word is rudeness.
A
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A Rhapsody of Words |
|
Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 9191
Location: UK
|
|
| #7 (permalink) Sun Feb 18, 2007 14:47 pm ? |
|
|
Hi Tom
Did you actually intend to reverse the word order (i.e. "with what" instead of "what with") 
| Quote: |
| 1- With what his illness and other problems, he decided to resign for the job. This sentence is incorrect. |
What with his illness and other problems, he decided to resign from the job. = OK
| Quote: |
| 2- With what his rudness and inconsideration, she lost her trust in all army personnel. |
This sentence doesn't work either. If you want to use 'with what', you need a completely different sentence structure. In addition, her loss of trust in all army personnel seems too extreme to be explained by just one person's rudeness and inconsideration.
Here are a few examples:
- What with his rudeness and inconsideration, it's no wonder she didn't like him.
- With his rudeness and inconsideration, he is never able to hold a job very long.
- With what you now know about his his rudeness and inconsideration in dealing with that issue, don't you think he ought to be fired immediately? |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA
|
|
|
Tom
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 2061
|
|
|
| Some more questions from 'The Jungle Book' | Expression: Run way over budget |
