Have a half an idea

[Take_It_Easy]

Hi can someone explain that to me, in what context native speakers use the following idiom?

- I have a half an idea.

[Luschen]

*** edited - please see my correction in the follow-up post ***

This means you have an idea that is not fully formed and which you do not have that much confidence in. "I have half an idea for my kid's birthday party, but I don't know exactly what games they should play."

Here in the U.S. a more common term is "half-baked idea", which is very similar, but sometimes also used to disparage another person's idea you don't agree with.

[Take_It_Easy]

That's the funny thing! I heard this saying from Gregory Peck who was an American actor. Thanks anyway

[Luschen]

Sorry, I really messed this one up - I got stuck on the half-baked thing, but a little google search refreshed my memory.

We say "I had half an idea" to mean "I was tentatively planning to do something, but I ended up doing something else instead."

"I had half an idea to go see a movie, but with the rain and all, I stayed home and watched TV."

Search "had half an idea" on Google and you will find many more examples.

[Our Tort System]

[Luschen]

To me, it means that you feel the urge to do something, often because something has annoyed you. "I've got half a mind to slap you across the face for that comment." So the tone is definitely different from "half an idea". My meaning may be overly influenced by a popular country song from years ago with the lyric: "I've got half a mind to leave you but only half the heart to go."

[Take_It_Easy]

Dear Luschen,

So can't it be used with the first example provided by you?

- I have half an idea to go out tonight, but I might stay home as it comes to rain.

With the second example:

- I had half an idea to go out tonight, but I finally ended up wathcing TV because it was raining all night long.

According to the second context, the phrase ' half an idea' can only be used in past tense? It is totally contradict to that what I heard in that movie. The actor said "I have half an idea" and it utterly referred to the future.

[Luschen]

Yes, the way I use the term, using it in present or future tense would not really make sense. What movie was it?

[Take_It_Easy]

Well, it is a movie from the 70's, called ' The Scarlet and The Black' starring with legendary Gregory Peck. The storyline is based on a true story in WW2. Mr. Peck plays a priest in the Vatican. He gives a refuge to all of those who are chased and tortured by the Nazi Regime. Worth to watch it for sure! I clearly remember Gregory Peck used this phrase in present tense. The point of his saying was exactly the same as the first example provided by you ( the one which you corrected ) So that might work too! I only watch movies in English, I dislike using dubs.

I also use English subtitles in order to understand the actors or actresses who speak on a faster pace. I cannot usually catch those who speak on a quicker pace:(

My aim is to reach as high level of English as I just can. I'm so sorry not to be native. I love the most of American dialects and accents and some of the oldish British accents too. I also often do accent training on my own. I drive people crazy around me by how enthusiastic I am for English.

Thank you so much for your help. Are you a language tutor?

[Luschen]

It sounds like you are well on your way to becoming an English expert! I am a tutor for English as a second language learners here in the U.S. A majority of my students are from Egypt.

[Take_It_Easy]

Thanks, that's really flattering! Could I ask you for some advice? Now I'm working on a nice American accent, could you actually suggest something that would make my English sounds more American or Americanish? I'm often believed to be Scandinavian by British people, I think it is a good sign. I usually watch movies and listen to American radio stations and occasionally meet Americans in my hometown. Should I read loudly in English or talking to myself when I'm alone?

I'm surprised by that your students are mostly from Egypt. Are there so many of them in Nashville or is it a school especially established for Arabic students?

[Luschen]

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Why on earth would you want an American accent? Assuming that you could even find a "nice" one. Why not a distinguished British accent? Those Australians always sound like they are having fun. Or woo the ladies with a romantic French accent? Nothing says "high tech wizard" like an Indian accent. Of if you want sound like an old school scientist you can't go wrong with a German accent. I could say "slur your speech and say ain't and y'all a lot" but I might get kicked off the forum. Just joking with all this - I just love hearing all the various English accents from around the world. I think one reason English has done so well is that it is quick to adopt foreign words and pronunciation instead of always being on guard against foreign infiltration. Why don't you make a recording so I can hear your accent?

I don't know why there are so many Egyptians at the center where I tutor. They are all Coptic Christians and go to the same 4 churches in the area.

[Our Tort System]

[Our Tort System]

[Take_It_Easy]

Hello there, you really made me laugh with imitating other accents. You seem to be good at mimic them. Maybe the French one sounds like more Italian! Probably I should have asked you another way. How could I reduce my original accent in order to seem to have a neutral or kinda American one?

The reason why I do not intend to pick up a distinguished British accent is, I spent roughly 2 years in the UK, where I lost my interest in it. Generally I do believe that, in most cases it is easier to understand Americans than British people. They just usually speak on a slower pace I like lot of accents to name a few South British, Londoner, Californian, Chicago accent. So I love several dialects and accents too, but I'd like to go for a certain one. I think it's not necessarily needed to use slangs like: ain't Could you give me some feedback about my accent please? What would you guess I am from?

Greetings from abroad.

Ps: Agree with your statement, English has a wide range of vocabulary and this language is quick to adopt foreign borrowed words just to mention a few: entrepreneur, moustache, alligator or bizarre.

Anyway I'm pleased to meet you here on the forum.