Tranformation: It was obvious that the old house was past its prime.

[Linh Bui Hoang]

Few days ago I asked on an English forum of our language this transformation: Rewrite the sentence "It was obvious that the old house was past its prime" using the word "days".
A person named Am helped me with this answer: "It was ovious that the old house had seen better days". I thanked so much for his help, thinking he was so kind and good at English.
Afterwards, another member politely expressed his thought that Am's answer seemed to be not very exact. But he frankly said sorry because he couldn't find the answer and asked Am if Am could find that better one. I think he was nothing reprehensible.
Surprisingly, Am arrogantly and impolitely criticized that member: you have to understand the meaning before you say something correct or incorrect.
Am's image in me completely collapsed. Just think, if you think something and you never speak up, when will you ever know that it is right or true?
And this was his very reply to Am's attitude: "I know that you are good at English, but it isn't necessary for you to look down on me! Because I understood, I said that. But if you think you are right, I have nothing to talk to you ! The first one is right but the second can be written in another way better than yours!!! One day I will show you, one day" (The first one he mentioned was another transformation)
Yes, he was really angry, just like me. And I really want to help him. But I can't find any other better answer either. The only thing I could do is to ask for your help.
Please help me to find a better answer. Please help me. Please help him!

[stew.t.]

Hi Linh

I can not pass comment on the exchange you describe here.

However

"It was oBvious that the old house had seen better days"

is to a native speaker more than adequate.

Did the guy criticizing the phrase elaborate on how exactly it was wrong?

cheers stew.t.

[Linh Bui Hoang]

Hi stew,
The fact is that I myself find nothing wrong with that answer. It's completely exact. I am just looking for another one, which is better than that if possible.
I would not be doing this if Am hadn't had behaved to that guy like that.
And what about: "It was obvious that the old house has passed its prime days" and "It was obvious that the good old days of the house were gone". Is one of them anyway better?

[RickInAlbi]

I am not sure how you wish to improve the sentence. You could make it crisper by saying:

"The house had obviously seen better days."

or

"The house was obviously past its prime." I do not think the word "old" is necessary, as it is implied in both "seen better days" and "past its prime."

Note: the original sentence is proper English. The suggested sentences say the same thing, only more directly.

I hope this helps.

Rick

[Linh Bui Hoang]

Thank Rick so much for your help!

[RickInAlbi]

You are welcome.

Rick