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#2 (permalink) Thu Nov 14, 2013 20:19 pm To say the least/ That's the least you could say. Same meaning? |
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W: Well, that's the least you could say; I even got the impression they were sorry they'd invited us. Is 'the least you could say' correctly used here? No
Dinner was awful to say the least. Is 'to say the least' correctly used here? Yes
Another situation between two people:
A: I want to apologize to you, because I was very impolite to you. B: Well, madam, that's the least you could say. Is 'the least...' correctly used here? It's possible, though there are better responses.
And then one more question: My auditory perception of English is not a 100 per cent the same as that of a native speaker. Is this a natural and correct construction? My auditory perception of English speech is not the samer as that of a native speaker. My auditory perception of English speech is not 100% accurate. _________________ "Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett |
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Beeesneees Language Coach

Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 39144 Location: UK, born and bred
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#3 (permalink) Thu Nov 14, 2013 21:17 pm To say the least/ That's the least you could say. Same meaning? |
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Thanks BN
I do so wish to have a little more information:
You can say for example and I hope I'm correct now: 'Since your house burnt down, the least I could to help is to lend you this money.'
Also could you give me one example of a better response to: 'Well, madam...
By the way I've noticed some problems with the forum. Sometimes, when I'm already logged in, I have to log in again in order to post the reply. It usually happens when I post a quick reply. When I posted my previous message I was even redirected to a page saying 'Gateway wrong.' Have you had any complaints about that from other members?
Thanks Alexandro _________________ 'Everyone can mistakes! After all, nobody's perfect.' |
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Alexandro I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 10 Jul 2010 Posts: 915
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#4 (permalink) Thu Nov 14, 2013 21:51 pm To say the least/ That's the least you could say. Same meaning? |
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Quote: | 'Since your house burnt down, the least I could to help is to lend you this money.' |
That's not quite correct. You could say: Since your house burnt down, the least I could do to help is lend you this money.
A: I want to apologize to you, because I was very impolite to you. B: Well, madam, I should think so.
Everyone is having the same problems with the website. _________________ "Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett |
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Beeesneees Language Coach

Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 39144 Location: UK, born and bred
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Pronunciation of 'didn't'. Is the 2nd d in 'didn't' BrE voiced or not at all? | Search your heart |