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 #2 (permalink) Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:49 am Usage of 'bit' |
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| The use of "bit" is OK, but you need to say "the/my/our, etc. office". You don't always need a qualifier and you must "a" - though in fairly rapid speech, the "a" sometimes disappears. |
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Molly
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| #3 (permalink) Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:08 pm Usage of 'bit' |
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'come to office' does sound OK to me, Molly. I didn't know it was incorrect.
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Daemon99
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| #4 (permalink) Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:13 pm Usage of 'bit' |
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| daemon99 wrote: | | 'come to office' does sound OK to me, Molly. I didn't know it was incorrect. |
If you were writing an informal, telegraphed, note, it might sound OK, but the full form is with the article or pronoun. |
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Molly
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| #5 (permalink) Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:22 pm Usage of 'bit' |
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| daemon99 wrote: | | 'come to office' does sound OK to me, Molly. I didn't know it was incorrect. |
Hi, Daemon.
Office without any article suggest a public position or a duty or function assigned to or assumed by someone rather than a place in which business, clerical, or professional activities are conducted.
So, if you say "come into office" you mean that you start carrying on your duties.
example: Bush had come into office stating his intent to remove the United States from this agreement
"Out of office" means unemployed, rather than being outside of the office
"In office" means employed (as a public servant)
By the way, here is a site where your mistake is discussed: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jun/22eng.htm
That's my 50 cents.
But then again, It'd be better if a native speaker stepped in and gave you a professional explanation.  |
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Lost_Soul
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| #6 (permalink) Thu Apr 24, 2008 14:38 pm Usage of 'bit' |
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All wrong ...
should be EARLIER with "a bit"
You can say "can you come to the office early tomorrow"
No "a bit is a bit and must be used with a"
These would be ok
1) Can you come to THE office a little bit earlier tomorrow?
2) Can you come to THE office a bit earlier tomorrow?
These are ok for "early"
You arrived early didn't you
He arrived quite early this morning
She was going to arrive early, but didn't
He always arrives early
I'll leave the technical side for you guy to look up as homework.
(smile)
Not a full explanation, but one to start you one the correct path. |
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HamburgEnglish
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| #7 (permalink) Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:32 am Usage of 'bit' |
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| Quote: | 1) Can you come to the office a little bit early tomorrow? OK
2) Can you come to the office a bit early tomorrow? OK
3) Can you come to office bit early tomorrow? No
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I disagree with Hamburger. The word "early" is commonly used to refer to a time that is before the usual or expected time. "A bit" is used idiomatically to mean somewhat or to indicate a small degree. Nothing requires the use of "earlier" in your sentence, Daemon.
If you did use "earlier", I would understand the meaning to be quite specific. For example:
Can you come to the office (tomorrow) a bit earlier than you came today?
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Yankee
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| #8 (permalink) Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:46 am Usage of 'bit' |
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| Yankee wrote: | If you did use "earlier", I would understand the meaning to be quite specific. For example:
Can you come to the office (tomorrow) a bit earlier than you came today?
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I disagree I think with both sentences below the intention is to compare the requested action with previous actions.
Can you come to the office (tomorrow) a bit earlier than you came today?
Can you come to the office a bit early tomorrow (*than you came today)?
I think such speakers are using "early" informally (or even incorrectly). To me "can you * a bit early tomorrow" implies comparison.
It implies either "earlier that you have been coming/came up to now" or "I know it's a bit earlier than one should expect a person to ask one to come to an office, but if you could do it..."
...........
Can you come to the office early tomorrow?
That can, but need not, imply comparison. |
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Molly
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| #9 (permalink) Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:50 am Usage of 'bit' |
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Correct Molly ....
Incorrect Amy ....
Sorry! Amy. |
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HamburgEnglish
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| #10 (permalink) Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:13 am Usage of 'bit' |
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| HamburgEnglish wrote: | Correct Molly ....
Incorrect Amy ....
Sorry! Amy. |
I'm sure you meant to say
Incorrect Molly ....
Correct Amy ....
Or do you speak some new brand of English which Molly wised you up to ?  |
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Lost_Soul
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| #11 (permalink) Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:17 am Usage of 'bit' |
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No idea
But for sure, Can you come to the office a bit early is incorrect !!!
Can you come to the office early tomorrow OK
Can you come to the office earlier tomorrow OK
and as "molly I think !" correctly said "a bit" reflects on a comparisson that therefore requires "earlier" |
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HamburgEnglish
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| #12 (permalink) Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:28 am Usage of 'bit' |
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Can you come early? (No clear implication of comparison.)
?*Can you come a bit early? (Implies comparison.) |
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Molly
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| #13 (permalink) Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:35 am Usage of 'bit' |
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Hi,
Thoughts on 'bit'
In informal language the 'a' can be omitted in questions like these:
Bit late, aren't you? Bit difficult, isn't? 'Bit stupid, wasn't he? There is a touch of sarcasm/contempt in these.
Alan
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Alan
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| #14 (permalink) Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:38 am Usage of 'bit' |
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| Molly look at what you posted "earlier not early" whoops smile |
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HamburgEnglish
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| #15 (permalink) Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:38 am Usage of 'bit' |
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| Alan wrote: | Hi,
Thoughts on 'bit'
In informal language the 'a' can be omitted in questions like these:
Bit late, aren't you? Bit difficult, isn't? 'Bit stupid, wasn't he? There is a touch of sarcasm/contempt in these.
Alan |
But it only happens at the beginning of a sentence, right? |
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Molly
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