Question
25 February
- Japanese
-
English (US)
Question about English (US)
“I ate ~ for dinner today.”
How do you read this sentence aloud?
“I ate blah blah for dinner today.”
or, “I ate blank blank for dinner today.” ?
Which one is correct?
In Japanese, we say it “なになに,” like, “私は晩ご飯になになにを食べました.”
“I ate ~ for dinner today.”
How do you read this sentence aloud?
“I ate blah blah for dinner today.”
or, “I ate blank blank for dinner today.” ?
Which one is correct?
In Japanese, we say it “なになに,” like, “私は晩ご飯になになにを食べました.”
How do you read this sentence aloud?
“I ate blah blah for dinner today.”
or, “I ate blank blank for dinner today.” ?
Which one is correct?
In Japanese, we say it “なになに,” like, “私は晩ご飯になになにを食べました.”
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- English (US)
"blah blah" would sound really strange to me.
I'd say "I ate blank for dinner today".
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
- Japanese
@vz9002
How about saying, "I ate blank blank for dinner today.” ?
How about saying, "I ate blank blank for dinner today.” ?
- English (US)
@nobu_japan Saying "blank" twice would sound weird, I'd only say it once.
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
- Japanese
@vz9002
If there are two words like “~ ~,” then can I say, “blank blank?” Thanks.
If there are two words like “~ ~,” then can I say, “blank blank?” Thanks.
- English (US)
I would say "I ate such and such for dinner today."
"I ate blank" sounds more like you are prompting someone to fill in the blank.
To be clear, "such and such" can replace "~" and "~~."
If "~" refers to a person, use "so and so."
Highly-rated answerer
- English (US)
@MiniMeg Yeah I mean.. I don't think I'd ever actually say "I ate blank for dinner", I would say "blank" if there is a blank part of a sentence where something has to be filled in.
On the same note, when would you actually see yourself saying "I ate such and such for dinner", instead of saying the actual food you ate? The only time I could possibly see that happening is if you're trying to explain to someone the sentence structure for how to talk about what you ate, if that's what Nobu was asking, then I misunderstood.
Highly-rated answerer
- English (US)
@vz9002 Unless I'm mistaken, I do think that's what Nobu was asking. “I ate ~ for dinner today” is the kind of notation you'd see in a language exercise book and I figured he was asking how you would read that out loud.
Aside from that, I would use "such and such" if I wanted to make a point about something without focussing on the specifics. For example, "She's always going on about having such and such for dinner -- nobody cares."
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
Hey guys, I’m still confused which one to use, blank or such and such.
This guy is trying to teach the sentence structure to his students at his class. Thanks.
This guy is trying to teach the sentence structure to his students at his class. Thanks.
- English (US)
@nobu_japan In that case, if the teacher is prompting, go with "blank," like vz9002 suggested. How ~ is said out loud can depend a bit on the context.
"Ok, class, I want you to complete the sentence: 'I ate ~ for dinner tonight.'"
The teacher wants the students to answer, "I ate salmon for dinner tonight" or whatever.
The teacher might say out loud, "Ok, class, I want you to complete the sentence: 'I ate blank for dinner tonight.'"
"In sentences like 'I ate ~ for dinner tonight,' do you use a definite or indefinite article?"
The teacher might say out loud, "In sentences like 'I ate such and such for dinner tonight,' do you use a definite or indefinite article?"
That's not the best example but either term could work depending on the exact nature of the lesson or conversation. Basically, ~ is an unspecified placeholder, which is what "blank" and "such and such" or "so and so" are.
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
@MiniMeg
Thanks. I’m starting to feel like I should use “such and such” then.
On my second thought, this teacher is not prompting his students to fill in the blank, the teacher is teaching the sentence structure itself just by using this sentence. I’m still confused.
Thanks. I’m starting to feel like I should use “such and such” then.
On my second thought, this teacher is not prompting his students to fill in the blank, the teacher is teaching the sentence structure itself just by using this sentence. I’m still confused.
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