I m in a little bit of grammar dilemma. My friend thinks that I should not say 'Mr. X is not picking up the phone' cuz that would mean Mr. X is not lifting or picking up the phone set itself from the table, counter or wherever it is sitting. In other words, picking up would literally mean the action of picking up. Am I incorrect in thinking that literal meaning of pick up in this example doesnt apply here?
2006-06-16 05:38:05 · 8 answers · asked by woosters_tales 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
One of the problems we in America have is the acceptance of imperfect grammar. Your friend is absolutely correct, since we are discussing proper grammar. Your translation requires the assumption that Mr. X is answering the phone. Sentence context gives no reason for that assumption, however. To remove the ambiguity from your sentence, you should be specific. Mr. X is not responding to the ringing telephone, or Mr. X is not picking up the telephone receiver. Your present sentence does not state how or why he is picking up the phone. In fact, specifying "the phone" means the whole instrument, not the handset alone.
2006-06-16 05:51:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Grammar is not an issue here. The sentence is grammatically correct but the meaning could be confused if someone is not familiar with American English slang terminology.
You may be better off saying "Mr. X is not answering his phone"
2006-06-16 05:44:03 · answer #2 · answered by Tony Danza 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it used to be the same action (you had to lift the receiver to answer) now, with cordless and cellular telephones around, you can pick up your cell phone without answering it or answer it without lifting anything if you have a headset for it. personally i think your friend is being a little nit-picky.
2006-06-16 05:44:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that you are correct. "Picking up" is a colloquialism that has wide spread usage, so I can see no reason as to why it would be grammatically incorrect. Your usage is appropriate.
2006-06-16 05:42:27 · answer #4 · answered by Enyo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is grammatically correct.
No, you are not incorrect.
(I wanted to answer both of your questions.) ;-)
Your friend sounds quite bored or maybe insecure.
2006-06-16 05:47:40 · answer #5 · answered by Question Mark 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you are correct.
2006-06-16 05:41:30 · answer #6 · answered by Jack430 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that it works just fine and that you are right.
2006-06-16 05:41:07 · answer #7 · answered by AnswerGiver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct.
2006-06-16 05:44:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋