Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
have all sorts of fun
English answer:
fun in several different ways
Added to glossary by
Tony M
Jul 19, 2009 17:24
14 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term
have all sorts of fun
English
Art/Literary
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Which is more probable:
have a lot of fun, or
have fun of various sorts?
have a lot of fun, or
have fun of various sorts?
Responses
| 4 +4 | fun in several different ways |
Tony M
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| 5 +4 | have a lot of fun |
Jenni Lukac (X)
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| 4 | indulge yourself |
MD Taher
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Change log
Aug 2, 2009 06:15: Tony M Created KOG entry
Responses
+4
1 hr
Selected
fun in several different ways
Whilst I agree that the ultimate implication is 'lots of fun', I think it's important to acknowledge the fact that the implication of variety is there all the same.
Because 'fun' isn't usually quantifiable, there are all sorts of ways of describing a lot of it — but we might easily say "We had lots of fun spending all afternoon swimming at the beach", whilst we might also say "All sorts of fun were to be had at the fun-fair, with something to please everyone from the youngest kids to the teenagers"
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Note added at 2 hrs (2009-07-19 19:49:25 GMT)
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I think 'all sorts of' definitely emphasizes the variety aspect, while 'all kinds of' emphasizes the amount — and also sound quaintly dated to my native-speaking UK ears; the sort of thing one might have heard in the 20s — "Oh, Daisy, a day's punting on the river at Cambridge was all kinds of fun!"
Because 'fun' isn't usually quantifiable, there are all sorts of ways of describing a lot of it — but we might easily say "We had lots of fun spending all afternoon swimming at the beach", whilst we might also say "All sorts of fun were to be had at the fun-fair, with something to please everyone from the youngest kids to the teenagers"
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Note added at 2 hrs (2009-07-19 19:49:25 GMT)
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I think 'all sorts of' definitely emphasizes the variety aspect, while 'all kinds of' emphasizes the amount — and also sound quaintly dated to my native-speaking UK ears; the sort of thing one might have heard in the 20s — "Oh, Daisy, a day's punting on the river at Cambridge was all kinds of fun!"
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Suzan Hamer
: Yes, perhaps with a bit more context it would be clearer what the writer means, but given just the phrase, I think too the implication of variety is present and has to be acknowledged. "Tons of fun" would undoubtedly be a huge amount of fun . . .
12 mins
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Thanks, Suzan!
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| agree |
orientalhorizon
11 hrs
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Thanks, OH!
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| agree |
Phillippa May Bennett
18 hrs
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Thanks, Philippa!
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| agree |
George C.
1 day 13 hrs
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Thanks, Solarstone!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
+4
4 mins
have a lot of fun
It sounds more natural and spontaneous. "Various types of" sounds quantifiable and we don't normally consider fun as quantifiable.
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Note added at 27 mins (2009-07-19 17:51:52 GMT)
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I see your dilemma. Concerning the choices in Ammer's dictionary of idioms, "all kinds of fun" and "all sorts of fun": it's true that they literally refer to a variety of entertaining things and activities, but the exageration of "all" in both phrases makes them both express "lots of". "Fun of various sorts" sounds a bit flat and awkward. Hope this helps!
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Note added at 27 mins (2009-07-19 17:51:52 GMT)
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I see your dilemma. Concerning the choices in Ammer's dictionary of idioms, "all kinds of fun" and "all sorts of fun": it's true that they literally refer to a variety of entertaining things and activities, but the exageration of "all" in both phrases makes them both express "lots of". "Fun of various sorts" sounds a bit flat and awkward. Hope this helps!
Note from asker:
| In Ammer's dictionary of idioms, "all kinds of fun" means a lot, but all sorts of - rather many varieties |
| I had a dilemma, and the robot was faster (4-4, on what grounds?). Probably your answer is better. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Patricia Rosas
4 mins
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Good morning and thanks, Patricia
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| agree |
Jeanette Phillips
: it does mean "a lot" e.g. we had all sorts of problems when the car broke down; it's just one of those English ways of saying things
22 mins
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Good morning and thanks, Jeanette
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| agree |
Jack Doughty
1 hr
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Good morning and thanks, Jack
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| agree |
Phong Le
9 hrs
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Good morning and thanks, Phong
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30 mins
indulge yourself
to allow yourself to have something enjoyable
Discussion