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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Analysis of four setnences: grammar

Now It doesn’t concern me that you didn’t tell me the secret, but the reason for which does.

Do you think using for which here is correct/good stylistically?

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Speaking of which, are you still happy with the decorations in the living room?

Is this OK?

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Did you speak to all the celebrities at the even last night: David Schwimer, Courtney Cox, Brad Pitt?

Is it fine in formal writing to use a colon within a question?

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What time are you coming home tonight? Because I need to prepare dinner.

OR

What time are you coming home tonight because I need to prepare dinner?

Are both correct or only the latter?

Thank you
  

Top answer

1-- No, nor the structure. 2-- Yes. 3-- It is not a formal context, and I wouldn't use the colon; I'd use an m-dash and avoid that problem.

— Mister Micawber

  • 1-- No, nor the structure.
  • 2-- Yes.
  • 3-- It is not a formal context, and I wouldn't use the colon; I'd use an m-dash and avoid that problem.
  • 4-- Only the former .
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9 Answers
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1-- No, nor the structure.

2-- Yes.
3-- It is not a formal context, and I wouldn't use the colon; I'd use an m-dash and avoid that problem.
4-- Only the former.
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1. Could you explain why please?

4. Wait a minute, let's back the truck up... You're saying only the former is correct? How can this be so? I mean not to offend by challenging you on this, but I could have sworn the latter is correct, not the former (I asked the question, thinking that perhaps the fomer was OK in less formal texts). If the dependent clause follows the question marks, tha
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1. 'Which'...what? There is no clear referent.
4. The second 'sentence' of the former is a common spoken version: the question is asked and then the reason is given. You cannot represent that in a single sentence as in the 2nd. 'Because..what time' makes no sense.
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Mister MicawberThe second 'sentence' of the former is a common spoken version: the question is asked and then the reason is given. You cannot represent that in a single sentence as in the 2nd. 'Because..what time' makes no sense.

Just to clarify one more time, in writing you still only accept the former? Is it not an incomplete sentence?
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Yes, it is incomplete. If such an utterance were to appear in formal writing (though I cannot see how it would), then it needs major restructuring.
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Ok so I will avoid the latter construction... Major learning curve for me.

Would you ever construct a sentence like my latter version?

Thanks
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This one?-- What time are you coming home tonight because I need to prepare dinner? No.
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Very interesting. I could have sworn I was told otherwise long ago. But I'm going to trust you on this Emotion: smile

Thanks again
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Not told by me, I'll wager.
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