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Stacey Jones Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Are theses sentences correct?
Hello
I’ve been searching the net extensively for information regarding the use of relative clauses when they modify an object (and not the subject) of a sentence, and I’m still not sure that they work (are grammatically correct) in all instances.
Can someone confirm that all of the following variations of the sentences below are grammatically correct? Or if not, why any one sentence is worded incorrectly?
I’m confused in large part due to conflicting information on the net regarding this topic.
(As these are merely examples, I’m not concerned about content or wordiness, only if the grammar is correct)
FIRST SENTENCE
“I brought my favorite book, given to me by my mother, to class today.”
“I brought my favorite book, which was given to me by my mother, to class today.”
“I brought my new book, a bestseller my mother purchased for me, to class today.”
“I brought my new book, which was a bestseller my mother purchased for me, to class today.”
“I brought my favorite book, its pages already coming loose, to class today.”
“I brought a book, written by my mother, to class today.”
(in each of the sentences above, the clause in the middle modifies the object (book), rather than the subject (I), and I’m still unsure if it’s okay to do so.
SECOND SENTENCE
“Emma waved at Summer, smiling pleasantly.”
“Emma waved at Summer, who was smiling pleasantly.”
“Smiling pleasantly, Emma waved at Summer.”
“Emma, smiling pleasantly, waved at Summer.”
THIRD SENTENCE
“Fawkes enters the clearing, the harsh cries of crows instantly startling him, and proceeds with caution.”
“Fawkes enters the clearing, in which the harsh cries of crows startle him instantly, and proceeds with caution.”
“Fawkes enters the clearing, where the harsh cries of crows instantly startle him, and proceeds with caution.”
FOURTH SENTENCE
“It speaks more to your sanity than anything else.”
“It speaks more about your sanity than anything else.”
“It speaks more to your sanity than it does anything else.”
“It speaks more about your sanity than it does anything else.”
I’ve been searching the net extensively for information regarding the use of relative clauses when they modify an object (and not the subject) of a sentence, and I’m still not sure that they work (are grammatically correct) in all instances.
Can someone confirm that all of the following variations of the sentences below are grammatically correct? Or if not, why any one sentence is worded incorrectly?
I’m confused in large part due to conflicting information on the net regarding this topic.
(As these are merely examples, I’m not concerned about content or wordiness, only if the grammar is correct)
FIRST SENTENCE
“I brought my favorite book, given to me by my mother, to class today.”
“I brought my favorite book, which was given to me by my mother, to class today.”
“I brought my new book, a bestseller my mother purchased for me, to class today.”
“I brought my new book, which was a bestseller my mother purchased for me, to class today.”
“I brought my favorite book, its pages already coming loose, to class today.”
“I brought a book, written by my mother, to class today.”
(in each of the sentences above, the clause in the middle modifies the object (book), rather than the subject (I), and I’m still unsure if it’s okay to do so.
SECOND SENTENCE
“Emma waved at Summer, smiling pleasantly.”
“Emma waved at Summer, who was smiling pleasantly.”
“Smiling pleasantly, Emma waved at Summer.”
“Emma, smiling pleasantly, waved at Summer.”
THIRD SENTENCE
“Fawkes enters the clearing, the harsh cries of crows instantly startling him, and proceeds with caution.”
“Fawkes enters the clearing, in which the harsh cries of crows startle him instantly, and proceeds with caution.”
“Fawkes enters the clearing, where the harsh cries of crows instantly startle him, and proceeds with caution.”
FOURTH SENTENCE
“It speaks more to your sanity than anything else.”
“It speaks more about your sanity than anything else.”
“It speaks more to your sanity than it does anything else.”
“It speaks more about your sanity than it does anything else.”
Top answer
Hello Stacey, Welcome to English Forums. In your first set, the solution is to move the adverb prepositional phrase. Then everything seems much more fluid and in place.
- Hello Stacey, Welcome to English Forums.
- In your first set, the solution is to move the adverb prepositional phrase.
- Then everything seems much more fluid and in place.
- ) In your third and fourth set, the sentences are OK.
- Of course, the styles differ, and I have my own preferences, but that was not your question.
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2 Answers
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Hello Stacey,
Welcome to English Forums.
In your first set, the solution is to move the adverb prepositional phrase. Then everything seems much more fluid and in place.
“I brought to class today my favorite book, given to me by my mother.”
“I brought to class today my favorite book, which was given to me by my mother.”
“I brought to class today my new book, a bestsell
Welcome to English Forums.
In your first set, the solution is to move the adverb prepositional phrase. Then everything seems much more fluid and in place.
“I brought to class today my favorite book, given to me by my mother.”
“I brought to class today my favorite book, which was given to me by my mother.”
“I brought to class today my new book, a bestsell
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Thank you for the confirmation that there is nothing wrong with the sentences technically.
I think I just got carried away being overly insecure and fearful that something in my grammar has been lacking, but I guess I'm mistaken.
I think I just got carried away being overly insecure and fearful that something in my grammar has been lacking, but I guess I'm mistaken.
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