Sat up until late, Give a seat (away)?
Hi, guys

I have a few questions that are confusing to me. I would appreciate your help.

a. I sat up until late last night watching a late show, so that I feel sleepy and cannot concentrate on my work today. (Could I say "I sat up late until last night ..." or "I sat up late last night ..." instead of "I sat up until late last night ..."?)

b. On the bus yesterday a young man gave his seat to me, but I declined to sit on it. (Could I say "a young man yielded his seat to me, but ..." or " a young man gave his seat away to me, but ..." instead of "a young man gave his seat to me, but ..."?)

Question

Sat up until late, Give a seat (away)?
Hi, guys

I have a few questions that are confusing  to me. I would appreciate your help.

a. I sat up until late last night watching a late show,  so that I feel sleepy and cannot concentrate on my work today. (Could I say "I sat up late until last night ..." or  "I sat up late last night ..." instead of "I sat up until late last night ..."?)

b. On the bus yesterday a young man gave his seat to me, but I declined to sit on it. (Could I say "a young man yielded his seat to me, but ..." or " a young man gave his seat away to me, but ..." instead of "a young man gave his seat to me, but ..."?)

Answer

You could use "I sat up late last night" but not "I sat up late until last night ..."

'I sat up late until last night" means that you stayed awake until the night, so it has a totally different meaning.

For the second question all three are correct, with "a young man yielded his seat to me" being more formal than the others.

Answers · 2

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