Living death
Dear Dr English,
What does Òliving deathÓ in the following sentence mean? ÒThe author gave an
account of her life as a living death under the Khmer Rouge regime.Ó Thanks.
Thanat Yuyen
ÒLiving deathÓ denotes a life so painful that death is preferable to it. The sentence means the author told the story of her painful life under the Khmer Rouge.
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Dare: Used with ÔtoÕ
or without
Dear Dr English,
In many occasions I found ÒdareÓ followed with ÒtoÓ infinitive and sometimes with infinitive without ÒtoÓ as in: ÒShe doesnÕt dare to swim in the riverÓand ÒHow dare you shout at me like that?Ó
Which usage is correct?
Soonthorn Klakhakai
The word ÒdareÓ can be used either as a modal or a main verb. In short, ÒdareÓ is used in four ways to express courage, lack of courage, challenge and outrage. When used to express courage, ÒdareÓ is used as a verb in an affirmative form and can be followed either with or without ÒtoÓ. For example:
I never thought she would dare (to) walk out on him.
In a negative form, ÒdareÓ is used to express the lack of courage and, also, can be followed either with or without ÒtoÓ.
Kate admitted that she did not dare (to) travel alone.
To express challenge, ÒdareÓ is used as a verb with ÒtoÓ.
I dare you to touch this snake.
He looked around aggressively, daring them to argue with him.
And to show outrage, we use ÒdareÓ as a modal without ÒtoÓ.
DonÕt you dare look at me like that?
How dare you call me a cheat?
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Are they mice too?
Dear Dr English,
I am wondering if the plural of mouse, a computer device, is mice or mouses. Since it is not a living rodent I think, maybe, it shouldn't be ÒmiceÓ. What do you think?
I am afraid I have to disappoint you. The plural of mouse, the computer device, is also mice.
ÒExcuse me! Do you have a few more mice of the same model as these ones?Ó
ÒSorry. They are the last two mice of that model left.Ó
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