Is 'educate' the right word?
Dear Dr English,
When we talk about parents teaching their children, can we use the word ÒeducateÓ? If not, what should be used? Thanks.
Supavadee Sapsinmunkong
If you mean parents teaching their children subjects and skills they require, then yes, ÒeducateÓ can be used in this sense.
In the home schooling system, it is mainly the parents who educate their children.
Another way of using Òto educateÓ in this sense is to say that parents educate their children by sending them to school.
ÒMany well-to-do Thai parents pay a lot of money to educate their children by sending them to an international school.Ó
Or you could say, ÒMany well-to-do Thai parents give their children an education at international schools.Ó
However, if you talk about parents teaching their children by helping them to develop physically and morally and look after them, you use Òbring upÓ.
ÒAll parents want to bring up their children in a healthy environment.Ó
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including/including but
not limited to
Dear Dr English,
I often find such sentences in contracts as ... ÒBuyer shall pay all of its own expenses, including but not limited to, office, communication, transportation, hotel and meal expenses.Ó
Would the scope of the expenses the buyer shall pay be different if the phrase Òbut not limited toÓ were omitted? I mean, should the buyer pay its own expenses other than office, communication, transportation, hotel and meal expenses?
Sho Naruse
You are right by presuming that the buyer will have to pay all the expenses that are listed in the contract. However, it doesnÕt stop at the expenses that are listed. The phrase Òbut not limited toÓ means that the buyer has to pay other expenses as well, not only the ones that are listed in the contract.
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An excuse
Dear Dr English,
One of my friends is fond of using phrases like Òexcuses never excuseÓ.
What exactly does it mean?
Ferheen Looji
It is a bit harsh for your friend to say this. What he/she says would mean that he/she doesnÕt accept excuses at all.
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