김태준 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Which of these sentences are grammatically correct?
I've come across a few grammatically questionable sentences while reading through grammar worksheets handed out by my school.... Please tell me from the perspective of a native speaker of English which of the sentences can be viewed as correct, incorrect or rather awkward yet still acceptable.
1> English is taught us by him
English is taught to us by him
2> He bade them to leave at once
He bade them leave at once
3> The old man was seen to cross the road
The old man was seen cross the road
The old man was seen crossing the road
4> A dog was observed to hang around the house
A dog was observed hang around the house
A dog was observed hanging around the house
5> They envied him his luck
He was envied his luck
His luck was envied him
6> This machine will spare you a lot of trouble
You will be spared a lot of trouble by this machine
A lot of trouble will be spared.
A lot of trouble will be spared you.
7> You must take good care of books.
Books must be taken good care of.
Good care must be taken of books.
Care must be taken of books.
8> She take note of what I said.
Little note was taken of what I said.
Note was taken of what I said.
9> The book would not translate well.
The book would not be translated well.
10> This car drives easily
This car can be driven easily.
11> Mary photographs well.
Mary is photographed well.
12> This toy stove makes easily; just fold on the dotted line
13> Confidence is lacked by him.
14> 5000 people are held by the auditorium.
15> Because of the poor conditions of the company, he looked for, under force, other work.
Because of the poor conditions of the company, another job was sought forcefully by him.
Because of the poor conditions of the company, he felt forced to search out other employment.
Thank you in advance!
1> English is taught us by him
English is taught to us by him
2> He bade them to leave at once
He bade them leave at once
3> The old man was seen to cross the road
The old man was seen cross the road
The old man was seen crossing the road
4> A dog was observed to hang around the house
A dog was observed hang around the house
A dog was observed hanging around the house
5> They envied him his luck
He was envied his luck
His luck was envied him
6> This machine will spare you a lot of trouble
You will be spared a lot of trouble by this machine
A lot of trouble will be spared.
A lot of trouble will be spared you.
7> You must take good care of books.
Books must be taken good care of.
Good care must be taken of books.
Care must be taken of books.
8> She take note of what I said.
Little note was taken of what I said.
Note was taken of what I said.
9> The book would not translate well.
The book would not be translated well.
10> This car drives easily
This car can be driven easily.
11> Mary photographs well.
Mary is photographed well.
12> This toy stove makes easily; just fold on the dotted line
13> Confidence is lacked by him.
14> 5000 people are held by the auditorium.
15> Because of the poor conditions of the company, he looked for, under force, other work.
Because of the poor conditions of the company, another job was sought forcefully by him.
Because of the poor conditions of the company, he felt forced to search out other employment.
Thank you in advance!
Top answer
Hi I am not a native, however I would like to share my views. 1> English is taught us by him English is taught to us by him. This is OK.
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Hi I am not a native, however I would like to share my views.
1> English is taught us by him
English is taught to us by him. This is OK. However avoid passive voice wherever possible. ( He taught us English seems much better, doesn't it?
2> He bade them to leave at once .OK
1> English is taught us by him
English is taught to us by him. This is OK. However avoid passive voice wherever possible. ( He taught us English seems much better, doesn't it?
2> He bade them to leave at once .OK
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Hello!
3-)I once asked a question about this on this forum and this what I have gotten;
The old man was seen cross the road. ( He was seen from start to finish)
The old man was seen crossing the road ( He was seen, only the part of the action)
( This is the question I asked)
7-) Do an 'a' have to be written? Care is both contable and uncountable in di
3-)I once asked a question about this on this forum and this what I have gotten;
The old man was seen cross the road. ( He was seen from start to finish)
The old man was seen crossing the road ( He was seen, only the part of the action)
( This is the question I asked)
7-) Do an 'a' have to be written? Care is both contable and uncountable in di
00
Welcome to EnglishForward.
Others might not have exactly the same opinions of the awkward sentences, but here are mine.
I am a native speaker (American English.)
1> English is taught us by him (incorrect)
English is taught to us by him (awkward)
He teaches us English. (best.)
2> He bade them to leave at once (bade is a very old-fashioned word,
Others might not have exactly the same opinions of the awkward sentences, but here are mine.
I am a native speaker (American English.)
1> English is taught us by him (incorrect)
English is taught to us by him (awkward)
He teaches us English. (best.)
2> He bade them to leave at once (bade is a very old-fashioned word,
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Hi AlpheccaStars
I thought I must say this.
It is very nice to see the way you have responded to this question, that is, you have given what is required unlike my answer which I think showed more of what I know than letting the person that he too was right at some places.
A great lesson. I wish I remember it for for good.
I thought I must say this.
It is very nice to see the way you have responded to this question, that is, you have given what is required unlike my answer which I think showed more of what I know than letting the person that he too was right at some places.
A great lesson. I wish I remember it for for good.
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AlpheccaStarsOthers might not have exactly the same opinions of the awkward sentences, but here are mine.I am a native speaker (American English.)I am a native speaker (British English). I agree with everything you wrote except for part of number 7:
You must take good care of books. (correct)
Books must be taken good care of. (awkward) Books
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These are all possible, but some are old-fashioned usage.
1. Both possible. The first is rather old-fashioned.
2. Both okay.
3. All three possible. The second is old-fashioned.
4. All three possible. The second is old-fashioned.
5. All three possible. The second and third are old-fashioned.
6. All four are okay.
7. All four
1. Both possible. The first is rather old-fashioned.
2. Both okay.
3. All three possible. The second is old-fashioned.
4. All three possible. The second is old-fashioned.
5. All three possible. The second and third are old-fashioned.
6. All four are okay.
7. All four
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