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PamQueue Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Above Ground
NY Times(1):
"Investigators will probably want to see whether the mine operator was in compliance with the requirement to have new communications and tracking gear to help miners reach people above ground and help rescuers locate missing workers. "
NY Times(2):
"No classes were in session when the plane hit, but officials were determining how many people on the ground were injured or killed, he said."
Because of the second example, could the first be missing "the"? Why is it "on the ground" but not "above the ground"?
"Investigators will probably want to see whether the mine operator was in compliance with the requirement to have new communications and tracking gear to help miners reach people above ground and help rescuers locate missing workers. "
NY Times(2):
"No classes were in session when the plane hit, but officials were determining how many people on the ground were injured or killed, he said."
Because of the second example, could the first be missing "the"? Why is it "on the ground" but not "above the ground"?
Top answer
Because of the second example, could the first be missing "the"? -- No. -- 'Above ground' is idiomatic, like 'at home'.
- Because of the second example, could the first be missing "the"?
- -- No.
- -- 'Above ground' is idiomatic, like 'at home'.
- You would save yourself time by not questioning the NY Times' grammar; they rarely err.
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1 Answers
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Because of the second example, could the first be missing "the"? -- No.
Why is it "on the ground" but not "above the ground"?-- 'Above ground' is idiomatic, like 'at home'.
You would save yourself time by not questioning the NY Times' grammar; they rarely err.
Why is it "on the ground" but not "above the ground"?-- 'Above ground' is idiomatic, like 'at home'.
You would save yourself time by not questioning the NY Times' grammar; they rarely err.
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