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Ganges

- Idiom - The proper way to say something in English is often a matter of custom. Accepted usage dictates that it be said a certain way. This is idiom. For example: The hungry hoopoe was disappointed at the availability of grubs. This is not idiomatic. The usual, and therefore proper, version is: The hungry hoopoe was disappointed with the availability of grubs. Several more examples follow: No one expected the birds were quiet. No one expected the birds would be quiet. [idiomatic] Kamala made no attempt to investigate the habits of parakeets, terns, nor storks. Kamala made no attempt to investigate the habits of parakeets, terns, or storks. [idiomatic] Naresh was silly for tying the scarcity of fish with the presence of hoopoe. Naresh was silly for tying the scarcity of fish to the presence of hoopoe. [idiomatic] The vulture soared from nearly tree level up to 1000 feet. The vulture soared from nearly tree level to 1000 feet. [idiomatic] The vulture's decision to descend was based around its view that the animal would soon expire. The vulture's decision to descend was based on its view that the animal would soon expire. [idiomatic] Note: Consult a good dictionary if you are unsure whether a phrase is idiomatic. (To find it, look up the most significant word in the phrase -- it is usually a verb.)

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