XXX was a great man.

[Untaught88]

Hi,

Can you please point out my mistakes in the following paragraphs, please?

"XXX was a great man. The whole world bears testimony of his greatness. He was the greatest Muslim poet of this century. His poetry gives the message of hope and success. His life was very simple. He considered lie and backbiting a great sin. He never sold his opinion at any cost. Though he needed solitude for creative work, yet he was ready to meet all kinds of people all the time who invaded/interfered his privacy at odd/inappropriate hours."

 

[Tarheel]

Hi,

Can you please point out my mistakes in the following paragraphs, please?

"XXX was a great man. The whole world bears testimony to his greatness. He was the greatest Muslim poet of this century. His poetry presents a message of hope and success. His life was very simple. He considered lies and backbiting great sins. He never sold his opinion for anything. Though he needed solitude for creative work, [STRIKE]yet[/STRIKE] he was ready to meet all kinds of people at all times even though they disturbed his privacy and visited at inappropriate times (like when he was asleep)."

What do you think?

 

[Untaught88]

Thank you, Tarheel.

Please explain the following points:

Did you use "presents" because it looks more appropriate or is "gives" incorrect?

Is " at any cost" incorrect?

 

[Tarheel]

I suppose you could keep the original verb, but not, I think, the original article. (He gives a message of hope with his poetry, not the message.)

You sell things for a price, not a cost.

 

[Tdol]

The whole world bears testimony of his greatness.

This may be a bit over the the top. If it were the case, then anyone would be able to supply the name.

 

[Untaught88]

Thank you, Tarheel.

Isn't it "...who disturbed his privacy at inappropriate times..." correct?

 

[Tarheel]

Thank you, Tarheel.

Isn't it "...who disturbed his privacy at inappropriate times..." correct?

Is there an appropriate time to disturb somebody's privacy? (I think not.)

 

[Untaught88]

Tarheel, Thank you very much.

I asked a native speaker. She said, "I can use "at any cost" in place of "for anything".