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#2 (permalink) Thu Sep 18, 2008 14:20 pm Phone them vs. phone now |
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. You must not try to anticipate all contextual possibilities. Simply find the natural English. We do not use 'phone there' in normal conversation (we use 'phone them' or simply 'phone'), and 'but' makes the clause illogical besides. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#3 (permalink) Sun Dec 13, 2009 16:45 pm Phone them vs. phone now |
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Dear Mr. Micawber..
Can we say "The number is 7863452 then you must phone"?.
Thanks in advance. |
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Watie I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 162 Location: Indonesia
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#5 (permalink) Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:58 am Phone them vs. phone now |
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| Watie wrote: |
Dear Mr. Micawber..
Can we say "The number is 7863452 then you must phone"?.
Thanks in advance. |
I think the right sentence should be: "The number is 7863452 then you must call now". |
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Yda I'm new here and I like it ;-)

Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 38 Location: Far Away Land
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#6 (permalink) Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:04 am Phone them vs. phone now |
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No. The right sentence is given in the right answer above in the original test question in the first post. _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#7 (permalink) Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:39 am Phone them vs. phone now |
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| Mister Micawber wrote: |
| No. The right sentence is given in the right answer above in the original test question in the first post. |
The sentence in the first post is: "The number is 7863452 but you must phone now". and he asked if we say like this: "The number is 7863452 then you must phone/call now?
Is it not the second sentence we usually use when advising someone to call? We use then and not but. |
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Yda I'm new here and I like it ;-)

Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 38 Location: Far Away Land
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#8 (permalink) Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:50 am Phone them vs. phone now |
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No, we do not. 'Then' is the response to an 'if' condition. Here, 'but' is the response to a 'however' condition.
'The number is 88776666; however you must call now in order to win; calling later is invalid.' _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#9 (permalink) Sun Jan 30, 2011 17:56 pm Phone them vs. phone now |
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| Wow! Thanks for the clarification. :) |
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Yda I'm new here and I like it ;-)

Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 38 Location: Far Away Land
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