kjc 0123 and everyday English

[Bert]

Why does kjc 0123 ask so many questions about the meaning of everyday words and expressions?

[archbishop]

Probably because he/she doesn't know what they mean and hopes the brightsparks on here will.

They might be self-explanatory to you,Bert but obviously not everybody is as clever as you.

[dafyd]

Sounds to me like he's preparing for some sort of verbal reasoning exam - I know that the American SATs feature those sort of questions. Also, General Studies at A-Level in the UK asks for analysis of passages, with particular emphasis placed on explaining phrases such as that in context.

 

So, homework, methinks...

[smorodina]

This is a question and answer site, so why does it come as a surprise when somebody asks a question. I find kjc (who I'm sure used to post under a different name and may not be a native English speaker) posts rather interesting questions about stock phrases whose meanings we tend to assume we know, but which are quite challenging to explain accurately. And it makes a real change from some of the lightweight enquiries that often clog up the site.

 

And even if (s)he is a student doing homework - so what? Ignore it, and let someone else give an answer. It does't hurt you does it?

[Ouisch]

Perhaps English isn't kjc's first language, and he/she is trying to learn some colloquialisms.

[ezapf]

Because kjc 0123 is a thinker. Kjc 0123 likes to ask questions to gain educational information unlike others who like to ask questions for entertainment purposes.

[dafyd]

Sorry, I wasn't criticising kjc 0123 in my answer... I've used AB for homework before! I just recognised the structure of some of his questions as things I saw last year when I was preparing for A-Levels and SATs.

[smorodina]

Well, kjc is not asking anybody to write an essay for her. She has specific questions about English usage and is doing the right thing. Asking questions on a question and answer site of native speakers. If you don't want to answer those questions you don't have to, but I notice, above, that the revered Quizmonster appears to have no problem with kjc's questions. If you want this site devoted to pointless trivia then the judgemental attitude that seems to manifest everytime an intelligent question is asked would seem to be a good weapon for achieving that, but I'm sure there are many who would rather see the type of question inspired by those who wish to learn - whether for homework or not.

[kjc0123]

Sorry. For many of you, native speakers of English, my questions might be so self-obvious that they are worthless as questions. But I am not native speaker(I am Korean) and I have never been to USA or UK. I study English with books only. I very often encounter some words or phrases that are not in the English dictionary. So through this site I learn the exact meaning or origin of some words, expressions, etc. and that is so priceless to me. I think it's my fault not to explain the reason why I ask so many times in the first place. Even though you think that my questions are being self-obvious, silly, absurd, please forgive me and please answer my questions. Your sincere answers are as priceless as diamond to me. And if possible, please point out the wrongness in my usage of English.