What's wrong with apiece?

[Mike Goddis]

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test "Not the slightest idea", question 8

I see you have some apples for sale and I only want two. Can you please tell me how much they are the piece?

(a) see
(b) for sale
(c) how much
(d) the piece

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test "Not the slightest idea", answer 8

I see you have some apples for sale and I only want two. Can you please tell me how much they are each?

Correct entry: each
The error was: (d) the piece

You have found the error but your entry is incorrect.
I see you have some apples for sale and I only want two. Can you please tell me how much they are apiece?
_________________________

what's wrong with apiece?

Mike Goddis

[Alan]

Hi Mike Goddis,

To me apiece usually means to or for each one in the sense of being offered/given to/for each one, which dosen't really fit in my sentence.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Words, words, words...

[nessie]

Sorry but I really don't understand your explaination about that.
Besides, I also want to ask which verb form should be used in this case:
Each boy and each girl (have) a book

Thank you in advance.

[Alan]

Hi,

The answer to the test question is 'each' - How much does each apple cost?

In your case I would use 'has' = each boy has/each girl has.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Not Really

[Yankee]

[Yankee]

Hi Alan

I really didn't understand the point you were trying to make about 'apiece'. Why don't you think that using 'apiece' also asks what the price for each apple is?
.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Alan]

OK, if it bugs you that much - in December 2005, I commented that I didn't think that 'apiece' would fit in that particular sentence. I didn't say it was incorrect. Happy now?

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[nessie]

Oh, may be I am showing myself to be too talkative and annoying to some people, but I really need to say this:
Dear Alan and Amy,
though I am a newbie on english-test.net, I can still see that there seems to be some conflict between you two. As we know, English is an international which has many different varieties and so such conflicts from English users of different countries are inevitable. However, I hope we can be calmer and more understanding to listen to the others' idea. Anyway, one of the reason for which English is the greatest language in the world is its variety, isn't it?
Lastly, I just want to say one more time that I am thankful to you two and to all those who dedicate themselves to this very wonderful site.
Thanks for reading this and many apologies if I ever cause any vexation
Nessie

[Alan]

Hi Nessie,

No need to apologise. I agree totally that English has a great variety of meanings and interpretations and that's why I think we should let everyone express a view.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Phrasal Verbs/go

[Yankee]