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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.
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 Mister Micawber
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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
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Mister Micawber
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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
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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.
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Mister Micawber
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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
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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.'
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Mister Micawber
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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
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| Are you driving? | Are "rabid" and "ebullient" synonyms ? |
