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the usage of "work"



 
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ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
supposed to be and suffice it to say | use of two plural noun
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the usage of "work" #1 (permalink) Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:56 am   the usage of "work"
 

I made 2 mistakes in a recent English Exercise. To my disappointment, the dictionary can't give me a detailed explaination.

One of the mistakes I made:
26. I don't think the scene with the horses really ( ).
A. OK B. proper C. works D. fits

I thought "work" could only be used like "function" or "run", apart from its original meaning.
eg. The machine doesn't work.
I've tried several spells myself, but they all work for me. ----------from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Then, I chose D, and got a big cross. I wonder why Option A and D aren't acceptable.
Takashiro
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the usage of "work" #2 (permalink) Mon Apr 26, 2010 22:30 pm   the usage of "work"
 

I would think "fit" should be, if used here, with "in"; and "I don't think the scene with the horses really OK" sounds odd because the direct object is too long, I guess.
Haihao
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the usage of "work" #3 (permalink) Mon Apr 26, 2010 23:12 pm   the usage of "work"
 

'fit' doesn't need 'in'.

"I don't think the scene with the horses really fits." makes sense without it, but [b]only[./b] if discussing a film where the scene is at odds to the rest of the film.

Such a scenario is not described here, so the correct answer, "I don't think the scene with the horses really works." (The scene is not just mismatched with the rest of the film - even taken alone it's a weak scene) is the best answer out of the options given. As with all multiple choice questions, you have to ensure you have chosen the best possible option.
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the usage of "work" #4 (permalink) Mon Apr 26, 2010 23:47 pm   the usage of "work"
 

Is it possible that "I don't think the scene with the horses really works." = "I don't think the scene really works with the horses."?
Haihao
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the usage of "work" #5 (permalink) Mon Apr 26, 2010 23:49 pm   the usage of "work"
 

No. It means that the scene with the horses hasn't turned out well.
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the usage of "work" #6 (permalink) Tue Apr 27, 2010 0:02 am   the usage of "work"
 

How about:

A: I want those horses to be added to the scene.
B: I don't think the scene with the horses really works.
Haihao
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the usage of "work" #7 (permalink) Tue Apr 27, 2010 0:21 am   the usage of "work"
 

I'm not sure what you are asking about:

A. is grammatically correct, but doesn't mean the same as the original post.

B. is the correct answer to the original post.
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the usage of "work" #8 (permalink) Tue Apr 27, 2010 0:30 am   the usage of "work"
 

I meant to show a dialogue between A and B, BN.

A (Johnson): I want those horses to be added to the scene.
B (John): I don't think the scene with the horses really works.

And I am afraid that you have excluded the possibility that the event (the scene in combination with the horses) has not yet taken place. Please take a look at the original one more time: I don't think the scene with the horses really works. Cf.:

Beeesneees wrote:
No. It means that the scene with the horses hasn't turned out well.


I would think it can also mean that the scene with the horses can/will/may not turn out well.
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the usage of "work" #9 (permalink) Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:25 am   the usage of "work"
 

Ah, thank you. Now I understand about the dialogue. You are also correct that it could be 'the scene with the horses will not turn out well', though this would be less likely than a past tense meaning. In any event, whether it is future or past, the best fit word would still be 'works' not 'fits', wouldn't it?
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the usage of "work" #10 (permalink) Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:13 am   the usage of "work"
 

I agree 100%, BN, and thank you.
Haihao
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Joined: 26 Oct 2006
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the usage of "work" #11 (permalink) Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:28 am   the usage of "work"
 

Having read your replies for several times, I've fully understood. Thanks, BN and Haihao-san.
Takashiro
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the usage of "work" #12 (permalink) Tue Apr 27, 2010 22:50 pm   the usage of "work"
 

You are very welcome, Mr/Mrs/Miss High Castle. :-)
Haihao
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the usage of "work" #13 (permalink) Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:08 am   the usage of "work"
 

Glad you agree with us, Maria.
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the usage of "work" #14 (permalink) Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:09 am   the usage of "work"
 

Haihao wrote:
You are very welcome, Mr/Mrs/Miss High Castle. :-)

Seeing that "Mr/Mrs/Miss", I suppose you'd like to know my full name is Satoshi Takashiro. :-)
Takashiro
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Joined: 22 Apr 2010
Posts: 36
Location: Osaka, Japan

the usage of "work" #15 (permalink) Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:32 am   the usage of "work"
 

Thank you, Mr. Wisdom. :-)
Haihao
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Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 2471
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