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English Language

Posted by James Briggs on January 22, 2002

In Reply to: English Language posted by Tiko on January 22, 2002

: I saw this pass around one day and thought some of you fellow linguistics might be amused. It is title:

: WHY ENGLISH IS DIFFICULT TO LEARN

: 1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
: 2) The farm was used to produce produce.
: 3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
: 4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
: 5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
: 6) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to
: present the present.
: 7) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
: 8) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
: 9) I did not object to the object.
: 10) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
: 11) They were too close to the door to close it.
: 12) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
: 13) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
: 14) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
: 15) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
: 16) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
: 17) I had to subject the subject to tests on the subject.

My German family - I have a German wife - have often said that English is 'easy' up to a basic level and then there's a mountain to climb. The above sentences are graphic illustrations of some of the height to be scaled.

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