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#2 (permalink) Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:28 pm thoughts vs thought |
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Ummmm, is that a smoke and mirrors question? The blank line has an S at the end. Seems to me that if you place the word 'thought' on that line, you're going to end up with 'thoughts'. So, if what you want to know is whether "having second thoughts" is also used on this side of the pond, the answer is yes. :? . _________________ "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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#3 (permalink) Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:34 pm thoughts vs thought |
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| I'll try to simplify the question: do AmEng speakers use "to have second thoughts", or do they use "to have second thought"? |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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Lost_Soul I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 1861 Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
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#5 (permalink) Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:57 pm thoughts vs thought |
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| lost_soul wrote: |
| Why are you asking this question? :? have a short memory, eh ? ;) |
What was your name? :lol: See edit. |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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#6 (permalink) Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:59 pm thoughts vs thought |
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. And when (if) Molly thanks you profusely for going to the trouble of finding that thread for her, Alex, you can respond with this:
"Glad to help, Molly. Don't give it a second thought." :D
EDIT: Well, now that Molly has edited out the additional question she asked, that may mean she's not interested in other collocations. _________________ "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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#7 (permalink) Thu Jun 19, 2008 14:01 pm thoughts vs thought |
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| Yankee wrote: |
. And when (if) Molly thanks you profusely for going to the trouble of finding that thread for her, Alex, you can respond with this:
"Glad to help, Molly. Don't give it a second thought." :D
EDIT: Well, now that Molly has edited out the additional question she asked, that may mean she's not interested in other collocations. |
I'm convinced you're upset with me, gal. Time heals all. On-topic posts are welcome. |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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#8 (permalink) Thu Jun 19, 2008 17:34 pm thoughts vs thought |
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| So the summary is that both sides of the Atlantic say "having second thoughts" but in BrE it's "on second thoughts" and in AmE it's "on second thought." Is that correct? (I didn't remember that part about the BrE "on second thoughts" though now that I read it, it rings a bell.) |
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Barb_D I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 474
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#9 (permalink) Thu Jun 19, 2008 17:55 pm thoughts vs thought |
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| Molly wrote: |
| Yankee wrote: |
. And when (if) Molly thanks you profusely for going to the trouble of finding that thread for her, Alex, you can respond with this:
"Glad to help, Molly. Don't give it a second thought." :D
EDIT: Well, now that Molly has edited out the additional question she asked, that may mean she's not interested in other collocations. |
I'm convinced you're upset with me, gal. Time heals all. On-topic posts are welcome. |
Does the expression "Don't give it a second thought" qualify as "not on-topic" in your book? :shock: Odd. In the future, perhaps you should just provide the answers you're willing to accept prior to asking your questions. That will probably help you ensure that you receive only input that is identical to what you think you already know. Of course, another option might be to set up a number of other identities who can simply post whatever it is you want to hear. ;) . _________________ "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) Thu Jun 19, 2008 18:35 pm thoughts vs thought |
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| Barb_D wrote: |
| in BrE it's "on second thoughts" |
That's right, Barb – "on second thought" would sound odd to an ordinary BrE speaker.
MrP |
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MrPedantic I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 1326 Location: Southern England
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#11 (permalink) Thu Jun 19, 2008 21:55 pm thoughts vs thought |
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| Quote: |
| Does the expression "Don't give it a second thought" qualify as "not on-topic" in your book? |
Of course it does. Where did I suggest otherwise?
| Quote: |
| In the future, perhaps you should just provide the answers you're willing to accept prior to asking your questions. That will probably help you ensure that you receive only input that is identical to what you think you already know. Of course, another option might be to set up a number of other identities who can simply post whatever it is you want to hear. |
Aw, you are upset, gal. Wanna talk about it over in PMs? |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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| Soup That Eats Like a Meal | Correct usage of 'the other way round' and 'for the sake of' |