fine-tooth comb

because the adjective 'fine' qualifies the noun 'tooth', like 'a 35-hour week' or 'a s**t-covered pig'. Of course grammatically speaking, 'a fine tooth-comb' is correct, but differs semantically. It suggests either a very thin or a very posh comb (with teeth).

Fine-toothed is ok as well, as it is the adjectival past participle of 'fine-tooth' (like 'the shop is opened at 9.00' vs 'the shop is open at 9.00').

hope that clears things up.

Posted By: Dave in France on November 22nd 2005 at 12:28:27

Message Thread

Grammar/Spelling Fans- help needed please. (General Chat) - The Editor of Milk, Nov 22, 11:55:35
- fine-tooth comb (General Chat) - Dave in France, Nov 22, 12:28:27
  - Brilliant. Thanks Dave. Could you please let the EN know? (n/m) (General Chat) - The Editor of Milk, Nov 22, 12:45:46
- Busy day? (n/m) (General Chat) - The Tudster, Nov 22, 12:01:10
  - Busy? (General Chat) - camcan, Nov 22, 12:02:45
    - Look, it just bugged me and I'm on lunch!! (General Chat) - The Editor of Milk, Nov 22, 12:04:00
      - I think you're like a public service broadcast (General Chat) - camcan, Nov 22, 12:09:33
        
        No, I'm too scared to go there (n/m) (General Chat) - The Editor of Milk, Nov 22, 12:44:13
- Nope (General Chat) - west, Nov 22, 11:59:32
- Surely it's neither. (General Chat) - BeverlyHills0201, Nov 22, 11:58:24
  - Of course.. you're right. (n/m) (General Chat) - The Editor of Milk, Nov 22, 11:59:27
- Oops.. here's the paragraph in question.. (General Chat) - The Editor of Milk, Nov 22, 11:56:28
  - You're correct. (General Chat) - Squiggles, Nov 22, 11:57:58

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