Archive for April 3rd, 2006
That thou hast her, it is not all my grief,
And yet it may be said I loved her dearly;
That she hath thee, is of my wailing chief,
A loss in love that touches me more nearly.
Loving offenders, thus I will excuse ye:
Thou dost love her, because thou knowst I love her;
And for my sake even so doth she abuse me,
Suffering my friend for my sake to approve her.
If I lose thee, my loss is my love’s gain,
And losing her, my friend hath found that loss;
Both find each other, and I lose both twain,
And both for my sake lay on me this cross:
But here’s the joy; my friend and I are one;
Sweet flattery! then she loves but me alone.
(by W. Shakespeare)
April 3rd, 2006
Note that congratulate and congratulations are not appropriate here. Note also that there is no English greeting which can be used for any festival. The only way of greeting someone on the occasion of a festival not celebrated in Britain (or at least not wildly celebrated) is to use the word wishes, for example:
(Very) best wishes for…
My/ our (very) best wishes for…
The usual birthday greetings are:
Many happy returns (of the day)!
Happy birthday! – more common, especially in informal situations
Congratulations may be used when someone comes of age (now at 18 in Britain) in formal style. Otherwise it is practically never used as a birthday greeting nowadays.
The answer to all these is Thank you.
For engagements and weddings the following forms are used:
Congratulations. – weddings only
I wish you every happiness. –very formal, weddings only
I hope you will be very happy. – semi-formal, weddings only
If we meet someone who has recently has married but whose wedding we didn’t go to, the word marriage is used instead.
Congratulations on your marriage. – very formal
I hear you’ve got married. Congratulations. – informal, semi-formal
http://english-l.chat.ru
April 3rd, 2006
When someone has achieved something, or been fortunate in some way, we say:
Congratulations (on…)
The answer is Thank you or Thanks (informal).
Well done – may also be used about an achievement.
Seasonal greetings include:
Happy/ Merry Christmas!
Happy New Year!
Happy Easter!
In reply the person greeted may either repeat the greeting or say Thank you, (and) (the) same to you.
http://english-l.chat.ru
April 3rd, 2006