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Which sentence sounds disparaging? Or both?

 
 
Reply Sun 8 Aug, 2010 04:57 pm


(1) Jack is used to act like a hound after Mary.
(2) Jack is used to act like a dog after Mary.
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Type: Question • Score: 0 • Views: 687 • Replies: 8

 
engineer
 
  3  
Reply Sun 8 Aug, 2010 05:55 pm
@oristarA,
I think the first one is more to the point. I would reword it to "Jack acts like a hound around Mary.".
oristarA
 
  1  
Reply Mon 9 Aug, 2010 12:22 am
@engineer,
Thank you.

Do you think whether both of the sentences are an insult for Jack?
tsarstepan
 
  1  
Reply Mon 9 Aug, 2010 12:27 am
@oristarA,
Either sentence properly dictates its intention to censure Jack's bad behavior towards Mary.
ellaurenne
 
  1  
Reply Mon 9 Aug, 2010 12:54 am
@tsarstepan,
I think both could be considered insults
0 Replies
 
laughoutlood
 
  2  
Reply Mon 9 Aug, 2010 01:20 am
@oristarA,
both sentences are dogs
0 Replies
 
JTT
 
  2  
Reply Mon 9 Aug, 2010 05:23 am
@oristarA,
(1) *Jack is used to act like a hound after Mary.*
(2) *Jack is used to act like a dog after Mary.*

Both sentences are ungrammatical as they are written, Ori.

If you mean the used which carries the meaning "formerly/as a past habit" then there's no 'be' verb used:

(1) Jack [is] used to act like a hound [after] around Mary.
(2) Jack [is] used to act like a dog [after] around Mary.

If you mean "familiar with/comfortable with" then you have to use "to acting":

(1) Jack is used to acting like a hound [after] chasing Mary.
(2) Jack is used to acting like a dog [after] chasing Mary.

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engineer
 
  1  
Reply Mon 9 Aug, 2010 07:09 am
@oristarA,
"Hound" has some additional connotations that make it more suitable in my opinion, but both would be insulting.

From the free dictionary for hound:
Quote:
1.
a. A domestic dog of any of various breeds commonly used for hunting, characteristically having drooping ears, a short coat, and a deep resonant voice.
b. A dog.
2. A contemptible person; a scoundrel.
3.
a. One who eagerly pursues something: a gossip hound.
b. A devotee or an enthusiast: a coffee hound.

Definition two is what you are after here although I've seen it used as 3a also as in he is pursuing Mary romantically. As JTT pointed out, both sentences need some work with grammar.
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oristarA
 
  1  
Reply Wed 11 Aug, 2010 01:01 am
Thank you all.
0 Replies
 
 

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