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Seagull Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Articles, conjunctions, tense
I have a couple of questions regarding the sentence below:
Four out of (the) six university students I met yesterday said that they were not good at physics, but [that] they were good at chemistry.
Q1 Is the definite article in the parentheses necessary?
Q2 Is the conjunction "that" in the square brackets necessary in modern standard English?
Q3 Is the sentence above is appropriate in terms of tense? I mean, I wonder which sentence is better, if compared with the following:
Four out of (the) six university students I met yesterday said that they are not good at physics, but [that] they are good at chemistry.
Four out of (the) six university students I met yesterday said that they were not good at physics, but [that] they were good at chemistry.
Q1 Is the definite article in the parentheses necessary?
Q2 Is the conjunction "that" in the square brackets necessary in modern standard English?
Q3 Is the sentence above is appropriate in terms of tense? I mean, I wonder which sentence is better, if compared with the following:
Four out of (the) six university students I met yesterday said that they are not good at physics, but [that] they are good at chemistry.
Top answer
1. If you met only six, then the definite articles makes that clear. 2.
- 1.
- If you met only six, then the definite articles makes that clear.
- 2.
- I'd probably use it, but I wouldn't say it was essential.
- 3.
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6 Answers
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1. If you met only six, then the definite articles makes that clear.
2. I'd probably use it, but I wouldn't say it was essential.
3. Both versions are correct grammatically.
2. I'd probably use it, but I wouldn't say it was essential.
3. Both versions are correct grammatically.
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Q1. No, the restrictive clause "[whom] I met yesterday" gives you the specificity of the article.
Q2. I think most people will understand that the conjunction is elided and the second clause is a continued report, but technically leaving the conjunction out makes the sentence say that the four reported their failure in physics but they nevertheless were good chemists. Be kind to your r
Q2. I think most people will understand that the conjunction is elided and the second clause is a continued report, but technically leaving the conjunction out makes the sentence say that the four reported their failure in physics but they nevertheless were good chemists. Be kind to your r
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deadratQ1. No, the restrictive clause "[whom] I met yesterday" gives you the specificity of the article.If you just say "Four out of six university students I met yesterday ", it is possible that you met more than six. 'Four out of six can simply mean "two thirds of the ...".
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I'd calculate 2/3 from "Four out of six university students surveyed" or "Out of the university students I met yesterday, four out of six."
But not from "Four out of (six university students I met yesterday)"
Probably just me.
But not from "Four out of (six university students I met yesterday)"
Probably just me.
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Thank you so much Deadrat, Fivejedjon.
Since I realized I hadn't understood this grammatical point well, I will read your answers carefully and study more.
Thanks again.
Since I realized I hadn't understood this grammatical point well, I will read your answers carefully and study more.
Thanks again.
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