What on earth do you mean?

[Funda]

English Grammar Error, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #17 "Christmas is coming", question 3

A: What on world do you mean? I'm sorry I really don't know what you're talking about.

(a) world
(b) sorry
(c) you're talking

English Grammar Error, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #17 "Christmas is coming", answer 3

A: What on earth do you mean? I'm sorry I really don't know what you're talking about.

Correct entry: earth
The error was: (a) world

You have found the error and your entry is correct.
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what on earth do you mean? could you explain?

Thanks.
Funda

[Mister Micawber]

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'On earth' is an intensifier-- it makes the utterance ('What do you mean?') stronger.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's