Issue

[namsteven]

Dear Teacher,

1) There are a few issues we need to discuss.

- Can i say " a few matters / a few problems " here?

2) I know of no law against it.

- What does this sentence mean? and why we use " of " here?

3) Brace yourself!

- This means " try your best", right?

4) He might bend the rules.

- This means " he might break the rules", right?



Thanks very much.

Namsteven.

[Pete]

1) There are a few issues we need to discuss.

- Can i say " a few matters / a few problems " here?
-- "Matters" is fine. There are some "issues" that are not "problems".

2) I know of no law against it.

- What does this sentence mean? and why we use " of " here?
-- It means that the speaker is not aware of any law that prohibits whatever activity was just being discussed. "Know of" means "be aware of" or "have heard of" something; "know" alone refers to having a fact in your mind.

3) Brace yourself!

- This means " try your best", right?
-- No, it means "be ready for what is about to happen." It often is used figuratively. You use it literally when you expect a shock or jolt that might make you fall.

4) He might bend the rules.

- This means " he might break the rules", right?
-- Yes, but he would only break them "a little bit".