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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Adjective phrase
Devoted four hours in studying, I need to have an hour break.
or
Having devoted four hours in studying, I need to have an hour break.
Which one of the above is correct? Why?
or
Having devoted four hours in studying, I need to have an hour break.
Which one of the above is correct? Why?
Top answer
Having devoted four hours to studying, I need to have an hour 's break. The present perfect participial phrase (some call this a reduced clause) is correct. It is a continuous action that started in the past and may or may not be completed at the time the sentence is spoken.
- Having devoted four hours to studying, I need to have an hour 's break.
- The present perfect participial phrase (some call this a reduced clause) is correct.
- It is a continuous action that started in the past and may or may not be completed at the time the sentence is spoken.
- If you want to use the first version, you have to use the finite verb, showing that the action is completed: I devoted four hours to studying, and now I need to have an hour 's break.
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6 Answers
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Having devoted four hours to studying, I need to have an hour's break.
The present perfect participial phrase (some call this a reduced clause) is correct. It is a continuous action that started in the past and may or may not be completed at the time the sentence is spoken.
If you want to use the first version, you have to use the finite verb, showing that the action
The present perfect participial phrase (some call this a reduced clause) is correct. It is a continuous action that started in the past and may or may not be completed at the time the sentence is spoken.
If you want to use the first version, you have to use the finite verb, showing that the action
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Can I say it like this?
Devoting four hours to my study, I need to have an hour's break.
Devoting four hours to my study, I need to have an hour's break.
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This one is more natural:
After devoting four hours to my study, I need to have an hour's break.
After devoting four hours to my study, I need to have an hour's break.
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I think your use of "devoting" is a bit overkilled. It's understood but it won't be something a native would likely say. "Devote" is a higher register verb that we use for something more meaningful; like "devote half of one's life in developing a new drug to
battle cancer". For your sentence, this is enough to express the same meaning: After 4 hours of studying, I need to take a break.
battle cancer". For your sentence, this is enough to express the same meaning: After 4 hours of studying, I need to take a break.
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This sounds perfectly natural to me:
I need to devote some quality time to finishing my income tax return this weekend.
I need to devote some quality time to finishing my income tax return this weekend.
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Hi,
I supposed different music appeal to different ears. I am not saying it is wrong, it just feels like getting all dressed up for a dinner at Chevy. That's all.
As April 15th approaches, I'd probably say: " I need to spend some serious time to finish my tax return..." (as I have been procrastinating getting it done)
I supposed different music appeal to different ears. I am not saying it is wrong, it just feels like getting all dressed up for a dinner at Chevy. That's all.
As April 15th approaches, I'd probably say: " I need to spend some serious time to finish my tax return..." (as I have been procrastinating getting it done)
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