Test: If only I had had the courage to do this...

[Nessie]

Hi, please have a look at these and check if my choices are correct - thank you in advance :)

1/ That's the ..... of my worries, it'll never happen.
A. fewer
B. less
C. last
D. least
=> I choose D - "least", but I'm not sure why +.+

2/ If only I had had the courage to do this .....
A. years back.
B. for years.
C. since years.
D. in years.
=> same as #1, I choose A.

3/ "We'll never be able to do it" said the man to
nobody .....
A. especially.
B. specially.
C. in particular.
D. himself.
=> For this, I choose C. However I'm not sure if A and B are also acceptable. By the way, what's the difference between "specially" and "especially"?

Thank you very much.
Nessie :)
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Lost_Soul]

Hi, Nessie

I find your answers correct.

[Ralf]

Hi Nessie,

As Alex said, your answers are fine.

[Nessie]

Thanks a lot, Ralf and Alex! :P:)

[Barb_D]

That's the least of my worries = Of all the things I could spend time worrying about, that is last on the list. It does not trouble me very much.

[Yankee]

Hi Nessie

If you use the search function on this site, you will sometimes find interesting threads, which might also be helpful:
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic23510.html#78210
:wink:
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Nessie]

Thanks for the tip, Amy - I'll do it. :)
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Nessie]

Hi Amy,

I've gone over the thread and I've got the answer for question 1, but I still want to know your idea about this:

"We'll never be able to do it" said the man to
nobody .....
A. especially.
B. specially.
C. in particular.
D. himself.
=> A and B are completely unacceptable in this case? why?
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Yankee]

Hi Nessie

No, A and B are not idiomatic at all. To me, using either of those two adverbs would mean 'for a particular purpose/reason'.
You might sometimes hear people use the adjective 'special' rather than 'in particular' in such a phrase. What you need in the sentence is something that basically means 'specific'.

I'd say all of these are common collocations:

- nobody in particular .. (i.e. no specific person)
- no one in particular .. (i.e. no specific person)
- nothing in particular .. (i.e. no specific thing)
- nowhere in particular .. (i.e. no specific place)
- anybody in particular .. (i.e. any specific person)
- anyone in particular .. (i.e. any specific person)
- anything in particular .. (i.e. any specific thing)
- anywhere in particular .. (i.e. any specific place)
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln