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Azz Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
All of ours
Can one say
a. He didn't just steal your computer. He stole all of ours.
instead of
b. He didn't just steal your computer. He stole the computers of all of us.
?
Many thanks.
a. He didn't just steal your computer. He stole all of ours.
instead of
b. He didn't just steal your computer. He stole the computers of all of us.
?
Many thanks.
Top answer
B is not natural at all. A is OK, but I’d say He stole everyone’s.
- B is not natural at all.
- A is OK, but I’d say He stole everyone’s.
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4 Answers
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B is not natural at all. A is OK, but I’d say He stole everyone’s.
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Be careful with the placement of "just" and "only," as their position may change the meaning of your sentences. Unfortunately, the "correct" placement may sound stilted. Stress, which I will indicate in bold may convey the meaning.
1) He just didn't steal your computer. I've told you four times -- Mary stole it.
2) He didn't just steal your compute
1) He just didn't steal your computer. I've told you four times -- Mary stole it.
2) He didn't just steal your compute
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deadrat1) ... 5)You forgot 6) He didn’t just steal your computer. He stole Mary’s too.
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An excellent example. It's got the word order of 3) and the emphasis and meaning of 4). In spite of the fact that "just" is closest to "steal," no native speaker would mistake the meaning.
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