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particular

English translation: particular

05:37 Apr 17, 2016
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Other
English term or phrase: particular
We are not only particular about high quality beans. Enjoy the sophisticated taste of the ingredients.

In the above, is particular OK?
Or selective is better?
Mitsuko Yoshida
Local time: 04:24
Selected answer:particular
Explanation:
I don't think "selective taste" makes sense.
Selected response from:

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:24
Grading comment
Thank you very much!!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +3either
philgoddard
4 +1we are very particular to / we take great care to
B D Finch
4particular
Jack Doughty


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
particular


Explanation:
I don't think "selective taste" makes sense.

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:24
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 276
Grading comment
Thank you very much!!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  philgoddard: The asker isn't suggesting "selective taste". They're saying "we are selective", which is fine.
7 hrs
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9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
either


Explanation:
"Not only" doesn't work, because it should be followed by something like "but also". You could say "We are very selective, using only high-quality beans", or "we are very particular about using".

philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 44

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
22 mins
agree  Yasutomo Kanazawa
1 hr
agree  Jessica Burlacu
1 day 10 hrs
neutral  Yvonne Gallagher: yes to "very particular about using" but agree with BDF about "selective"
4 days
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12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
we are very particular to / we take great care to


Explanation:
"Particular" is fine, but the grammar in your sentence is not. "Not only" introduces a second (reinforcing) statement in the same sentence. That second statement would be introduced by "but".

So, I suggest either of the following would retain the meaning that was probably intended.

1) We are very particular to use high-quality beans.
2) We take great care to use high-quality beans.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 hrs (2016-04-17 18:04:57 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

On second thoughts:
1) We are very particular about using high quality beans.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day12 hrs (2016-04-18 17:48:51 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Re my note above, I should have added "is OK too."

As noted below to philgoddard, I think that "being particular", means taking great care, being fussy about getting something right. It does not have quite the same meaning as "being selective".

B D Finch
France
Local time: 21:24
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 20

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tina Vonhof (X): You are right: 'not only' doesn't fit unless followed by 'but also'.
20 hrs
  -> Thanks Tina
neutral  philgoddard: I've said all this already, and your last answer is the same as mine.
21 hrs
  -> Your answer gives "selective", as though that is an acceptable alternative and I don't agree that it is. Being particular, means taking great care, being fussy about getting something right.
neutral  Yasutomo Kanazawa: Same opinion as philgoddard.
22 hrs
  -> Same response as to philgoddard.
neutral  Yvonne Gallagher: "particular about using" but I think using an infinitive as in your first answers doesn't work
3 days 21 hrs
  -> Yes, looking at it again: you're right.
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