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#2 (permalink) Thu Jul 24, 2008 0:57 am sides of a cube |
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| Shouldn't we apply "surface" to a cube? |
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Haihao I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 1478 Location: Chiba, Japan
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#3 (permalink) Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:00 am sides of a cube |
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Hello Jctfgf,
Yes, you can refer to the front or back of an object (t.v. for example), and the left/right side, and the top or bottom.
However, you can just use the directional, without adding the word 'side'. If you want to use the word 'side' that's okay also, but not always necessary.
For example,
The batteries go in the bottom (side) of the radio.
The adapter plugs into the back (side) of the computer.
There's a handle on the left and right (side) of the stereo.
Haihao, 'surface' is probably the right term to use if you're talking about a 3-d shape in geometry, yes, but outside of geometry, 'surface' is normally reserved for a larger flat area, such as the surface of the lake, the surface of a window, the table surface, anything that has the sense of being the 'top' or external layer.
Otherwise, when talking about a 3-d shape, we'll refer to the 'sides.' or simply the directionals. _________________ Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
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Did you hear they arrested the Energizer Bunny on battery charges?
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Skrej I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 863 Location: Not-quite exact central USA
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#4 (permalink) Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:41 am sides of a cube |
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| Crystalclear and fullyconvincing, SKrej. :) Thank you! |
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Haihao I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 1478 Location: Chiba, Japan
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#5 (permalink) Thu Jul 24, 2008 17:28 pm sides of a cube |
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thanks a lot! jc |
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Jctgf You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 76
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#6 (permalink) Thu Jul 24, 2008 19:09 pm sides of a cube |
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| Aren't they called "faces"? |
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Barb_D I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 474
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#7 (permalink) Thu Jul 24, 2008 19:13 pm sides of a cube |
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hi, is "face" what I would most likely listen from a native? a native would never say "the side of the cube/dice"? thanks. |
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Jctgf You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 76
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#8 (permalink) Thu Jul 24, 2008 19:20 pm sides of a cube |
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You have already heard from a native speaker who confirms that in conversation we say "sides" all the time.
There are some board games that require an 8-sided die. (It doesn't sound very natural to say "A die with 8 faces.")
However, in geometry class (and geology, if you are studying crystals), the term "face" is used. |
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Barb_D I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 474
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#9 (permalink) Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:30 am sides of a cube |
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| Did you like the response better when you got almost the same answer from BobK about faces? |
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Barb_D I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 474
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#10 (permalink) Fri Jul 25, 2008 22:09 pm sides of a cube |
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| sorry, barb_d, are you talking to me? |
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Jctgf You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 76
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| Human Oxy pads | waste away |