eslHQ Home
User Name Password
Lost Password? | Join eslHQ.com, it's FREE!
View today's posts
Search Extras Help   

Reply
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Unread Sep 3rd, 2015, 01:00 pm
eslHQ Addict
 
Join Date: May 28th, 2013
Posts: 150
Nightedge is on a distinguished road
Default interpretations

Do agree with me?

-Students have different interpretations __ life.

I think 'towards' gives the impression of hesitation; 'of' would mean they are braver in making interpretations.

Last edited by susan53 : Sep 4th, 2015 at 06:30 am.
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Unread Sep 4th, 2015, 07:03 am
Sue
 
Join Date: Oct 8th, 2006
Location: Milan
Posts: 1,406
susan53 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: interpretations

It would be more usual to use interpretation in the singular (each student has their own interpretation of life), but that's a minor point. Interpretation(s) is always followed by of when the object of the interpretation is involved - not toward(s) Checking both the singular and plural with the concordancer Lextutor I got 51 examples of interpretation(s) of and none at all of interpretation(s) toward(s).

It has nothing to do with meaning - it's a matter of usage. Don't be misled by examples you might find on Google. If you look carefully you'll find that where there are examples of interpretation(s) toward(s), either the text was written by a non-native speaker or that there is another reason for the choice of towards - usually because it's dependent on a verb or noun expressing movement or direction - eg :

Ecocritical readings regularly push literary interpretations towards the frontier...

Multiple perspectives move historical interpretations toward a more balanced approach to understanding painful histories.


Here, the writers are not talking about the object of the interpretation, but its direction.
__________________
An ELT Notebook
The DELTA Course

Last edited by susan53 : Sep 5th, 2015 at 01:29 am.
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Unread Sep 4th, 2015, 01:06 pm
eslHQ Addict
 
Join Date: May 28th, 2013
Posts: 150
Nightedge is on a distinguished road
Default Re: interpretations

Excellent answer. Thank you.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Find the Best TEFL, TESL, TESOL & CELTA Certification Courses - User Submitted Ratings & Reviews for Online, Distance & Abroad TEFL Courses. Over 3,500 reviews of 100+ TEFL schools!

Teach English in Thailand - Onsite and Combined TEFL certification courses in Phuket, Thailand.


Free ESL Flashcards




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:43 am.

All materials from this website are for classroom-use only. Digital redistribution of materials, in part or in whole, is strictly forbidden!

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2