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Any particular usage in your native language?



 
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Any particular usage in your native language? #1 (permalink) Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:03 am   Any particular usage in your native language?
 

Is there any particular usage in your native language which is not there in English and which you think is so useful that you can't easily form a sentence without it?

There's one in my native language. It's the inclusive/exclusive plural. There are two separate words for inclusive and exclusive plurals in my native language, which come so handy in a variety of situations that it becomes a bit difficult to construct sentences without them.

Also, there are two words for addressing a person you are speaking to. One is used when you want to treat the person with respect, like with elders, strangers etc and the other with your near and dear ones.
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Any particular usage in your native language? #2 (permalink) Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:23 am   Any particular usage in your native language?
 

Hi Daemon,

Well of course there is no distinction between you (formal) and (you informal) but the biggest bugbear is the absence of a word to cover he/she/it because we don't have 'gender' with nouns. I tend to use 'they' 'their' even when the subject is singular. For example: Every child at this school has to do his/her homework or he/she will be in trouble. I prefer: Every child has to do their homework or they will be in trouble.

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