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#2 (permalink) Mon Jul 28, 2008 17:27 pm "let alone a cake" |
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Hi nessie,
this is an expression of "not enough" it is used to reinforce how little or few are present of what is needed to achieve or get something OR it underlines how useless the amount you currently have is
the second half of the expression (the part that follows "let alone") should always be more than the first part
e.g. she needs 40 eggs for a cake, but needs 20 for breakfast. the expression is stating that the amount is so small there aren't enough to even make breakfast (the opposite of what you said)
another example might be:
i've only got £100. that's not enough to get me to Germany, let alone Thailand.
what do you think is meant there? |
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Benjamin You can meet me at english-test.net

Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 96 Location: London
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#3 (permalink) Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:07 am "let alone a cake" |
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Thanks a lot for your help, Benjamin :)
As for this sentence: I've only got £100. that's not enough to get me to Germany, let alone Thailand.
=> I think it means 100 pounds is not even enough to get to Germany, so certainly it's not enough to get to Thailand, which must cost much more. Am I right? :)
Many thanks once more :P _________________ :(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(
Sorry seems to be the hardest word... |
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Nessie I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1102
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#4 (permalink) Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:26 am "let alone a cake" |
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spot on :)
the speaker is hoping to go to thailand, but the amount he has is so small that it won't even get him half way, and he is just highlighting this the use of "thailand" in that sentence cannot be changed but many other countries or places could have been used instead of Germany (as long as they were closer than Thailand) |
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Benjamin You can meet me at english-test.net

Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 96 Location: London
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| What does 'knock through' mean? | ‘There’s no benefit….’ and ‘It’s no good doing….’ |