Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
a special instruction / an especial instruction
English answer:
a special instruction
Added to glossary by
Monica Colangelo
Aug 14, 2007 22:19
16 yrs ago
5 viewers *
English term
a special instruction / an especial instruction
English
Other
Poetry & Literature
While the ship was being overhauled, us crew members were receiving an especial instruction.
I think it should be "a special instruction" Suggestions welcome. Many many thanks in advance
I think it should be "a special instruction" Suggestions welcome. Many many thanks in advance
Change log
Aug 25, 2007 18:39: Monica Colangelo Created KOG entry
Responses
+8
5 mins
Monica Colangelo
Argentina
Argentina
Specializes in field
Argentina
45 yrs' experience in most every field
Native in: Spanish (Variants: US, Rioplatense, Latin American, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Standard-Spain, Uruguayan, Bolivian, Argentine) 
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English, Spanish, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Selected
a special instruction
"especial" no existe; sí "especially" para enfatizar el adverbio. De todos modos, "a special instruction" no me suena demasiado bien. "were being instructed" o "were receiving instructions" creo que estaría mejor.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "thanks a lot!!!"
+3
20 mins
Jennifer Levey
Chile
Chile
Native in English
&
English
Chile
Human-scale Globalization
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: Spanish to English, French to English, English to Spanish, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
20
a special instruction / an especial instruction
Both are correct and either might be acceptable, depending on context, style, etc.
'an especial instruction' would be more usual in a perdiod setting (pre-1900, say). It's typical Emily Bronte language...
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Note added at 15 hrs (2007-08-15 14:02:13 GMT)
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Although from a gramarian's point of view it is incorrect, there's nothing wrong with "... us crew members ..." in the context where a crew member, presumably someone with a relatively poor education, is relating his experience. The use of 'us' helps to portray the character. In just the same way we might expect to see '... we officers on the bridge ...' if the words were those of the ship's capitan.
'an especial instruction' would be more usual in a perdiod setting (pre-1900, say). It's typical Emily Bronte language...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 hrs (2007-08-15 14:02:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Although from a gramarian's point of view it is incorrect, there's nothing wrong with "... us crew members ..." in the context where a crew member, presumably someone with a relatively poor education, is relating his experience. The use of 'us' helps to portray the character. In just the same way we might expect to see '... we officers on the bridge ...' if the words were those of the ship's capitan.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
dragonrider
: both are the same meaning, it just depends on the way or habit using it
7 hrs
|
| agree |
ErichEko ⟹⭐
8 hrs
|
| agree |
David Moore (X)
11 hrs
|
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