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Cut vs. Switch vs. Turn off



 
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ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
need someone help with these sentences | meaning of "stand it off"
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Cut vs. Switch vs. Turn off #1 (permalink) Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:19 am   Cut vs. Switch vs. Turn off
 

This is my first participation in this forum
I'd like to thank the supervisors, administrators and moderators of this forum
They are spending their time and effort to help others
THANK YOU A LOT

My question is in vocabulary

I have a device. Suddenly, it is not working
There is no supply of electricity

What is the right way to express that situation?

1- The electricity is cut off (from/to) the device.
2- The electricity is switched off (from/to) the device.
3- The electricity is turned off (from/to) the device.
4- Or maybe there is something better.

From the device OR To the device.
Talal2008
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Joined: 26 Dec 2007
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Location: Kingdom of Bahrain

Cut/Switch/Turn off #2 (permalink) Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:03 am   Cut/Switch/Turn off
 

.
Probably #1 (from), which indicates an accidental interruption of service. #2 and #3 indicate an intentional interruption of power. Usually, I would say, "Uh-oh. The power went off."
.
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Cut/Switch/Turn off #3 (permalink) Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:04 am   Cut/Switch/Turn off
 

What is the right way to express that situation?

1- The electricity is cut off (from/to) the device.
The electricity to the device has been cut off.
This one means that the electricity has stopped somehow. It could have been stopped deliberately by a person, but more probably it has just stopped due to some failure in the electrical system.

2- The electricity has been switched off to the device.
3- The electricity has been turned off to the device.
These mean that some person has deliberately used the switch to stop the electricity.

Quote:
From the device OR To the device.

If the electricity was coming to the device from some other source, you have to say to the device. If the device itself was creating the electricity and sending it out, then you have to say from the device.
Jamie (K)
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Joined: 24 Feb 2006
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Cut/Switch/Turn off #4 (permalink) Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:32 am   Cut/Switch/Turn off
 

Many thanks to Jamie (K)
your answer is very helpful

Also, thanks to Mister Micawber for participating in the topic
Talal2008
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Joined: 26 Dec 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Kingdom of Bahrain

Cut/Switch/Turn off #5 (permalink) Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:37 am   Cut/Switch/Turn off
 

My explanation was just a wordy version of Mister Micawber's.
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 6552
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA

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