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Vincent Teo Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

alerted / press the alarm

Can I say,
(A) The teller alerted the alarm (bell) as the robbers tried to flee.

(b) The teller pressed the alarm (bell / button).
  

Top answer

Hi, Can I say, (A) The teller alerted the alarm (bell) as the robbers tried to flee. No. You alert people, not things.

— Clive

  • Hi, Can I say, (A) The teller alerted the alarm (bell) as the robbers tried to flee.
  • No.
  • You alert people, not things.
  • (b) The teller pressed the alarm (bell / button).
  • Say pressed the alarm, or pressed the alarm button .
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2 Answers
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Hi,
Can I say,
(A) The teller alerted the alarm (bell) as the robbers tried to flee. No. You alert people, not things.

(b) The teller pressed the alarm (bell / button). Say pressed the alarm, or pressed the alarm button.

Clive
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The teller activated / set off the alarm(bell) - (One "alerts" the police.) - You might set an alarm system to "alert mode."

The teller pressed the alarm button. - (Pressing the bell, if you could, would be useless.)
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