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Warrener Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
3 grammar Questions
I read an article in the local newspaper, and found 3 questions about grammar:
1)it's simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers by.
Q1:Should it be: it's "a" simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers by?
Q2:Should it be: ...let other drivers "pass" by?
2)If somebody cut you off, slow down and give them room to merge into your lane.
Q3:Should it be : ...and give "him/her" room to... ?
3)If you feel you are being followed too closely, you should pull over.
Q4:Can I say: If you feel you are followed too closely, you should pull over.
What 's the difference?
1)it's simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers by.
Q1:Should it be: it's "a" simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers by?
Q2:Should it be: ...let other drivers "pass" by?
2)If somebody cut you off, slow down and give them room to merge into your lane.
Q3:Should it be : ...and give "him/her" room to... ?
3)If you feel you are being followed too closely, you should pull over.
Q4:Can I say: If you feel you are followed too closely, you should pull over.
What 's the difference?
Top answer
Hello again Warrener Q1:Should it be: it's "a" simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers by? 'A courtesy' as in 'an act of courtesy' is certainly possible; but 'courtesy' as in 'the quality of courtesy' seems fine as well. ) That said, I would have written 'it's a simple act of courtesy', or 'it's only courteous'.
- Hello again Warrener Q1:Should it be: it's "a" simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers by?
- 'A courtesy' as in 'an act of courtesy' is certainly possible; but 'courtesy' as in 'the quality of courtesy' seems fine as well.
- ) That said, I would have written 'it's a simple act of courtesy', or 'it's only courteous'.
- let other drivers "pass" by?
- 'Pass by' usually has a sense of passing a stationary person or object.
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2 Answers
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Hello again Warrener
Q1:Should it be: it's "a" simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers by?
'A courtesy' as in 'an act of courtesy' is certainly possible; but 'courtesy' as in 'the quality of courtesy' seems fine as well. (In this second sense, 'courtesy' is used without 'a', and often without 'the'.)
That said, I would have written 'it's a simple act of
Q1:Should it be: it's "a" simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers by?
'A courtesy' as in 'an act of courtesy' is certainly possible; but 'courtesy' as in 'the quality of courtesy' seems fine as well. (In this second sense, 'courtesy' is used without 'a', and often without 'the'.)
That said, I would have written 'it's a simple act of
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