0
Jasnkid Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
appositive
Hi, teachers.
According to my textbook, when a that-clause is used as an appositive to a noun, ‘that’ can’t be omitted.
eg. (o) The news that he won surprised us all.
(x) The news he won surprised us all.
But how about the following sentence?
There is little doubt if you’re interested in history, you are also interested in genealogy …
Clearly, ‘that’ is omitted between doubt and if. In my opinion, that is an appositive to ‘doubt’, so it can’t be omitted. Could you tell me the difference?
And another question:
eg. Western officials in Libya have expressed doubts whether the rebel movement is actually ready to run the country after toppling the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
Is ‘whether’ used as an appositive to doubts?
Many thanks in advance.
According to my textbook, when a that-clause is used as an appositive to a noun, ‘that’ can’t be omitted.
eg. (o) The news that he won surprised us all.
(x) The news he won surprised us all.
But how about the following sentence?
There is little doubt if you’re interested in history, you are also interested in genealogy …
Clearly, ‘that’ is omitted between doubt and if. In my opinion, that is an appositive to ‘doubt’, so it can’t be omitted. Could you tell me the difference?
And another question:
eg. Western officials in Libya have expressed doubts whether the rebel movement is actually ready to run the country after toppling the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
Is ‘whether’ used as an appositive to doubts?
Many thanks in advance.
Top answer
jasnkid There is little doubt if you’re interested in history, you are also interested in genealogy … This isn't a case of an appositive. 'There is little doubt' has the same function as 'It's almost certain'. , you are also ....
- jasnkid There is little doubt if you’re interested in history, you are also interested in genealogy … This isn't a case of an appositive.
- 'There is little doubt' has the same function as 'It's almost certain'.
- , you are also ....
- The part of the sentence from if to the end is not the content of a doubt.
- It's just a general statement -- a statement about which there is little doubt.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
jasnkidThere is little doubt if you’re interested in history, you are also interested in genealogy …This isn't a case of an appositive. 'There is little doubt' has the same function as 'It's almost certain'.
[There is little doubt / It's almost certain] (that) if ..., you are also ....
The part of the sentence from if to the end is no
0
Related Questions