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#2 (permalink) Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:18 am Optional test (Is this the first year that you ... to this country?) |
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. 1-- What do you htink? 2-- A sounds odd to my AmE ear. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#3 (permalink) Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:27 am Optional test (Is this the first year that you ... to this country?) |
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So we never use "Is this the first year that you come to this country?" in any situation?
As for question 1, I choose "in" but my teacher said it should be "at", so I want to see about your idea of which is right Thanks a lot Nessie _________________ :(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(
Sorry seems to be the hardest word... |
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1102
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#4 (permalink) Fri Apr 04, 2008 14:39 pm Optional test (Is this the first year that you ... to this country?) |
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. 1-- at is better and native. 2-- No. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#5 (permalink) Fri Apr 04, 2008 15:45 pm Optional test (Is this the first year that you ... to this country?) |
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. I agree with MM. . _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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#6 (permalink) Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:40 am Optional test (Is this the first year that you ... to this country?) |
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But I still think "in" is more ok.I've searched on Google and seen that "in" is used quite a lot. _________________ :(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(
Sorry seems to be the hardest word... |
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1102
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#7 (permalink) Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:30 am Optional test (Is this the first year that you ... to this country?) |
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. Then don't bother asking us in future. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#8 (permalink) Sun Apr 06, 2008 16:47 pm Optional test (Is this the first year that you ... to this country?) |
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Oh come on Mister Micawber (I'd like to call you "Charles", but I dare not), I know that was not very polite of me to disagree with you, but I just want to discuss. It was only a slip of the tongue, ok? I am very sorry if I ever cause any vexation. I don't want to argue or to not obey you (whom I consider my teachers) but you know, I have checked on Google, and I've found that both cases can be used. Moreover, it seems that the use of "having visitors in our house" is used more than "having visitors at our house". That's why I want to tell you so that we can discuss. Hope you don't mind my being so fussy A zillion thanks. Nessie _________________ :(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(
Sorry seems to be the hardest word... |
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1102
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#9 (permalink) Sun Apr 06, 2008 17:45 pm Optional test (Is this the first year that you ... to this country?) |
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Hi Nessie
Using the word 'in' would put extra emphasis on the idea that the visitors were inside the house.
If I say something such as "Mary is at John's house", it is already understood that Mary is probably inside. There is no need to place any extra emphasis on this. However, using 'at' also includes the possibility that Mary might be spending part of her time in John's back yard, and the rest of her time in the house. "At" refers to Mary's general location.
I might say something like this:
I prefer to have canine visitors outside my house rather than in it. . _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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#10 (permalink) Mon Apr 07, 2008 16:29 pm Optional test (Is this the first year that you ... to this country?) |
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Thanks a lot, Amy, I understand it now :) _________________ :(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(
Sorry seems to be the hardest word... |
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1102
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| phrase "this far out" | "to have been" vs "as have been" |