Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
small machine that makes computations
delegate
few
calculator
inspector
TOEIC test: Word games: Free Online Noun Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Expression: Not much that he is sorry!



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
The usage: "I don't mind" | Expression: My bookshelf can ... 100 books
Message Author
Expression: Not much that he is sorry! Tue Jun 20, 2006 13:51 pm  Expression: Not much that he is sorry!
 

Hi

In one of the movies I recently watched, the servant of the house is caught stealing by his mistress. His master takes him into the room for interrogation. He comes out after a few minutes.(My questions are at the end)

Wife- What did he say?
Husband- Not much that he is sorry.
Wife- Ask him to pack his bags and leave right
now.
Husband- Firing him is like putting a tiny bandage
on a deep wound.

Q1- "Not much that he is sorry" What is the
meaning? What sort of a sentence structure is that?

Q2- "Firing him is like putting a tiny bandage
on a deep wound."
What is the meaning?

Q3- "Ask him to pack his bags..." I think it should
be "Tell him to pack his bags..."

A lot of thanks

Tom
Tom
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 2038

Expression: Not much that he is sorry! Tue Jun 20, 2006 14:31 pm  Expression: Not much that he is sorry!
 

Hi,Tom
Maybe you espect a response from Amy Very Happy
Quote:
Not much that he is sorry" What is the
meaning? What sort of a sentence structure is that?

I think he didn't say much of the words(maybe something offensive,insulting)to regret about what he had said

Quote:
"Firing him is like putting a tiny bandage
on a deep wound." What is the meaning?

Here is a case of simile
like putting a tiny bandage on a deep wound has a figurative sense in this sentence and means in vain,uselessly
As you know tiny bandage cannot prevent a deep wound from bleeding Laughing

Quote:
Q3- "Ask him to pack his bags..." I think it should
be "Tell him to pack his bags...

Yes,both are acceptable.
p.s.Anyway I'm sure that Amy will help you Very Happy

Tom, to be honest, I misread your last question. Now I made some amendments
Pamela
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 1236
Location: Rf

Here is how you can learn English the fun way! Click to subscribe to free email English courseLearn to use the present simple with the help of this short storyAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skills
Expression: Not much that he is sorry! Tue Jun 20, 2006 16:31 pm  Expression: Not much that he is sorry!
 

Hi Tom

Quote:
Q1- "Not much that he is sorry" What is the
meaning? What sort of a sentence structure is that?

I would assume that there was at least a slight pause between "much" and "that". (Or at least the speaker intended to pause...Laughing)
The meaning: (He did) not (say) much --- (He just said) that he is sorry.

Quote:
Q2- "Firing him is like putting a tiny bandage
on a deep wound." What is the meaning?

I agree with Pamela.

Quote:
Q3- "Ask him to pack his bags..." I think it should
be "Tell him to pack his bags..."

Using the word ask instead of tell is extremely common in English when talking about giving someone a command. It sounds more polite since making a request (ask) is "nicer" than making a demand (tell). In your sentence, the person could also have used "tell". But, as I mentioned, using "ask" is very common and I wouldn't see it as unusual, even though politeness probably wasn't much of an issue in this case.

As a further example:
If you call John Smith at his office and he isn't available and you then want his secretary to tell him to call you back as soon as possible, using the word "ask" would be extremely typical and usually preferable:
Could you ask him to call me back as soon as he returns?

Amy
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

Expression: Not much that he is sorry! Tue Jun 20, 2006 18:08 pm  Expression: Not much that he is sorry!
 

How right Pamela is,Amy! Shocked I have been expecting to hear from you. Very Happy Well, whether or not did you like the questions in this thread?

Tom
Tom
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 2038

Expression: Not much that he is sorry! Tue Jun 20, 2006 18:13 pm  Expression: Not much that he is sorry!
 

Sorry!

Thanks for the answers...Could not know that you had replied, Amy Very Happy
Tom
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 2038

Display posts from previous:   
The usage: "I don't mind" | Expression: My bookshelf can ... 100 books
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Expression: Not much that he is sorry! All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
Lite vs. lightIndefinite article: FAMOUS versus CELEBRITYThe meaning of "well-off"Courage and determination (is/are)Certified vs. to certify vs. to be certifiedHungry and HungrilyMeaning of stanzaWhy "he would"? Why not "he will"?Expression: "Shadows on a wall"Meaning of "is to pull" and "foray"Acknowledge receipt explanationWears his implement so prominently?Use of low, less, short, lower, lesser, shorterUsage of the verb 'mind'Passive Voice: Did I make these sentence correct?Use of "to be"Verbs using: truth and lie"going out" or "to go out"Expression: Not much that he is sorry!

Discover English-test.net
Modal verb: mustHelp with this testCome and add up sentences using the preposition "upon"A vicious racket with its arms around your children?MCAT practice test: Take a Vocabulary Quiz: Noun Adjective ListMCAT practice test: Online word games: Free Nouns Adjectives GameMeaning of malaise, mandible, influenza, anion, menopause, diabetes, acid anhydride (acyl anhydride), proteaseDefinition of design, execute, plot, aggression, moderate, motion, hospital, bank, claim, kickEsl magazines, articles: Tenses (2)Incident at Vichy audiobook download

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail