Question
18 May
- Russian
- Ukrainian
-
English (US)
-
Italian
Question about English (US)
What does "Monday takes a long time to come around" (to come around - to finish?)
"I've not voluntarily invited another human being across the threshold" (human being - means merely "a person", why did they use "human being", not simply "another person"? mean?
What does "Monday takes a long time to come around" (to come around - to finish?)
"I've not voluntarily invited another human being across the threshold" (human being - means merely "a person", why did they use "human being", not simply "another person"? mean?
"I've not voluntarily invited another human being across the threshold" (human being - means merely "a person", why did they use "human being", not simply "another person"? mean?
Answers
18 May
Featured answer
- English (US)
In this context, @Kellyne is correct regarding the meaning of "come around" (it has other meanings that don't apply to this situation, and I'll add them to the end of this answer). I would only add that, when used to refer to the concept of "arrival", "come around" is also especially common when talking about visitors. If you want to let someone know that it's okay for them to come visit you without calling first, you might tell them they can "come around sometime". Or if you see a friend unexpectedly while you're on the street, and you want to meet up later at your house for a real visit, you might say, "Come around the house later and we'll catch up."
Similar to the concept of "arrival", you can also use "come around" to talk about repeated actions/events (for example, "I want to have traveled the world by the next time my birthday comes around."), including actions/events in the past that no longer happen (for example, "Now that my grandchildren are older, they don't come around anymore.").
For informational purposes, other meanings of "come around" that don't directly relate to this question are "to change one's position" (for example, "He didn't like her at first, but he came around eventually." means that the man didn't like the women when he first met her, but as time passed he changed his opinion of her, and now he likes her) and "to regain consciousness" (for example, "The hit knocked her out, but she came around in a couple of minutes." means the woman passed out after being struck, but she woke up shortly after").
I would disagree, though, with the second part of @Kellyne 's answer in this specific situation. Generally, yes, "human being" is a more detached, scientific way to say "person", but the use of "human being" over "person" is often done for emphasis, as well. For example, if a mother is frustrated with her adult child's inability to fold clothes, she might say, "How is it possible that a human being with thumbs can't fold a shirt!" Or, for example, if someone wants to emphasize that a place was completely devoid of people, they might say, "The town was completely deserted; there wasn't a single human being around for miles."
So to say "I've not voluntarily invited another human being across the threshold" is a much stronger sentiment than "I've not voluntarily invited another person across the threshold".
Read more comments
- English (US)
Come around = arrive (especially when you’re talking about a date or event that repeats, like days of the week)
You could certainly replace human being with person. Human being sounds more scientific and distanced, so the speaker is probably not very social and maybe views other people as beings to study or deal with rather than companions to befriend or socialize with. It could also just be a random choice between synonyms, but choosing “human being” definitely feels like a more antisocial choice than “person” to me.
Highly-rated answerer
- Russian
- Ukrainian
@Kellyne does it mean that it takes a long time before Monday starts? something like the person is waiting for Monday?
- English (US)
- Russian
- Ukrainian
@Kellyne ok, i got it) thank you so much)))
- English (US)
@shostak17yuliia You’re welcome!
Highly-rated answerer
- English (US)
In this context, @Kellyne is correct regarding the meaning of "come around" (it has other meanings that don't apply to this situation, and I'll add them to the end of this answer). I would only add that, when used to refer to the concept of "arrival", "come around" is also especially common when talking about visitors. If you want to let someone know that it's okay for them to come visit you without calling first, you might tell them they can "come around sometime". Or if you see a friend unexpectedly while you're on the street, and you want to meet up later at your house for a real visit, you might say, "Come around the house later and we'll catch up."
Similar to the concept of "arrival", you can also use "come around" to talk about repeated actions/events (for example, "I want to have traveled the world by the next time my birthday comes around."), including actions/events in the past that no longer happen (for example, "Now that my grandchildren are older, they don't come around anymore.").
For informational purposes, other meanings of "come around" that don't directly relate to this question are "to change one's position" (for example, "He didn't like her at first, but he came around eventually." means that the man didn't like the women when he first met her, but as time passed he changed his opinion of her, and now he likes her) and "to regain consciousness" (for example, "The hit knocked her out, but she came around in a couple of minutes." means the woman passed out after being struck, but she woke up shortly after").
I would disagree, though, with the second part of @Kellyne 's answer in this specific situation. Generally, yes, "human being" is a more detached, scientific way to say "person", but the use of "human being" over "person" is often done for emphasis, as well. For example, if a mother is frustrated with her adult child's inability to fold clothes, she might say, "How is it possible that a human being with thumbs can't fold a shirt!" Or, for example, if someone wants to emphasize that a place was completely devoid of people, they might say, "The town was completely deserted; there wasn't a single human being around for miles."
So to say "I've not voluntarily invited another human being across the threshold" is a much stronger sentiment than "I've not voluntarily invited another person across the threshold".
- English (US)
@Sam_M All very true. Thanks especially for adding that bit about “human being” as an emphatic, frustrated alternative to “person.” I couldn’t quite think of how to express it and you did it perfectly.
Highly-rated answerer
- Russian
- Ukrainian

[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
Sign up
Similar questions
- •It's probably going to rain from Monday to Friday. •It's probably going to rain from Monday thro...
- On this Monday I was going to visit a English lesson and teacher wrote me "ready to speak in En...
- see you on Monday Does this sound natural?
Newest Questions
- What does Sometime this afternoon. mean?
- What does acquaintance mean?
- What does I took a chance, I took a shot mean?
- What does how do you say, ' I am just looking for a peace of mind' or 'I just want to have a peac...
- What does upscale mean?
Topic Questions
- What does acquaintance mean?
- What does Fidget toys mean?
- What does "Stars!" (as exclamation) mean?
- What does I was watching a reaction video, The reactor comments on the singer who sang a song ef...
- What does let me grab the owner?? mean?
Recommended Questions
- What does cum mean?
- What does pillow princess mean?
- What does She is a ten mean?
- What does Joe MAMA mean?
- What does lemon party mean?
Previous question/ Next question