Grammar help please... i wonder if it is 'is' or 'feels' that should be used in the sentence. Thanks in advance!!
2006-11-04 19:21:12 · 7 answers · asked by Harty H 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
There is an intrinsic difference between the 2 statements. I am a mechanical engineer and know that a surface can seem to be smooth and feel like it is when in fact it isn`t. The word "is" is positive and the word "seems" is subjective so both sentences are correct.
2006-11-04 19:29:36 · answer #1 · answered by hharry_m_uk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are correct. I think you might use the first if you and the people you are talking to have a standard of smoothness that you all agree on, for example, if you are all manufacturing something and "smooth" means no bumps bigger than a given size. You would say "It feels smooth" (or "It looks smooth", etc.) if you are just describing it to those who cannot see or feel it themselves. But these are not rules carved in stone and it usually would not make much difference which you use.
In some other languages, for example Spanish, differences between statements of judgment and statements of actual fact are grammatically much more important than they are in English, and affect the formation of the verbs you use.
2006-11-04 19:46:40 · answer #2 · answered by wild_turkey_willie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi! To say whether the surface "is" smooth indicates that one is viewing the surface to determine it smoothness. To say the surface "feels" smooth indicates that one is touching the surface to determine its smoothness. So it's really depends which sensory perspective you would like to use and what surface you are describing, those surfaces which are primarily viewable (the moon or cellular structure), or surfaces which are touchable (skin or a beach ball)
2006-11-04 19:38:58 · answer #3 · answered by Joan H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say "the surface is smooth", as I'm noting a characteristic of the surface, not how it feels to me.
This seems like a subject/object issue.
- The surface is smooth
- The surface feels smooth (to me)
I say "He is handsome" not "He looks handsome" :-)
Enjoy!
2006-11-04 19:32:24 · answer #4 · answered by MyAnswer4U 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it appears smooth, but you haven't touched it... use "is smooth" If you know it's smooth because you touched it... use "feels smooth"
2006-11-04 19:29:51 · answer #5 · answered by scottdiesel1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"the surface feels smooth"?...i guezz itz like that!
2006-11-04 19:23:02 · answer #6 · answered by **MyStErY gIrL** 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
either one is ok
2006-11-04 19:25:52 · answer #7 · answered by . 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋