an English question
By dufresne
@dufresne (137)
China
May 11, 2009 7:46pm CST
In the sentence "When you're speaking, it helps to be prepared. That may sound funny after what I've just told you, but if you read every day, you will already be prepared-maybe not for the fine points you are specifically speaking about, but usually we are asked to speak about something we are experts at or at least familiar with.", does "fine points" in the middle of the sentence mean "the particular and detailed field of expertise"? and is it a common English usage?
2 people like this
5 responses
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
12 May 09
I spent 5 years as a member of Toastmasters International where I learned to speak in Public.
Let me tell you, "It certainly helps to be prepared. In fact, you should never open your mouth without previously knowing what you are about to say!"
If the sentence you are referring to, includes the words," finer points," this could denote a certain amount of expertise on the subject. It is quite common to say this in English.
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
12 May 09
In this case, 'fine points,' is a saying, or a figure of speech, rather than a definition.
You could say- "One of the fine points of the Bridal Gown, are the fancy stitches in the hem." or," The new car has many fine points," (meaning) "the new car has many defining features."
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
12 May 09
it's pretty common in american english.
fine points are the little details.not necessarily of expertise,but in general.
@cannibal (650)
• India
12 May 09
Fine points in this context would probably mean the exact details of the topic. Exact details are sometimes not even known by the concerned experts. So, if you're prepared it doesn't matter even if you're an expert, or if your knowledge is average, or even nil. In any case preparation gives you the chance to get the hang of the topic and rightfully brag about the topic while conveniently ignoring the deeper details.
I reckon this what the gist of the given sentences is!
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
12 May 09
I do not think that "fine points" as used in the sentence referenced above means "the particular and detailed field of expertise." Rather as used in the sentence it is referring to "good details" it is almost complimentary of the details being shared.
