0
Tenacious Learner Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Brought/dragged/pulled/ the boat

Hi teachers,
Situation:
The boat was in the middle of the river because someone didn't tie it properly.
Are all of them possible?
a) Eventually, two boys in another boat brought their boat back to the island.
b) Eventually, two boys in another boat dragged their boat back to the island.
c) Eventually, two boys in another boat pulled their boat back to the island.

Can I use 'with a rope' after the verbs in all of them?

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

with a rope is fine They all are correct, but I feel that to drag something implies interference, such as through mud or even on land.

— Philip

  • with a rope is fine They all are correct, but I feel that to drag something implies interference, such as through mud or even on land.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

13 Answers
0
with a rope is fine
They all are correct, but I feel that to drag something implies interference, such as through mud or even on land.
0
0
Tenacious LearnerAre all of them possible?a) Eventually, two boys in another boat brought their boat back to the island.b) Eventually, two boys in another boat dragged their boat back to the island.c) Eventually, two boys in another boat pulled their boat back to the island.
No, the middle one is not and the 3rd one is suspect. The best choice is 'towed their
0
0
Are all of them possible? Yes, but is is very ambiguous, and a native speaker would not say any of them

a) Eventually, the two boys took (went out in) another boat and brought their boat back to the island. The two boys were the owners of the drifting boat.
b) Eventually, two boys i
0
0
And if you want to help your readers build their vocabulary, a function of all good literature, you could put that they towed the boat back by its painter.

This is part of my campaign against Newspeak.
0
0
Hi Mister Micawber,
Thanks for your help. So, the best choice is 'towed'.
I found this definition for tow, 'To pull or drag (a vehicle, boat, etc), esp by means of a rope or cable. It is correct, isn't it?
Does 'esp' mean 'especially?

TL
0
0
Tenacious LearnerI found this definition for tow, 'To pull or drag (a vehicle, boat, etc), esp by means of a rope or cable. It is correct, isn't it?
Yes.
Tenacious LearnerDoes 'esp' mean 'especially?
Yes.
0
0
Hi AlpheccaEmotion: stars,
Thanks for your reply too!
The two boys were just rowing when the saw the boat. It's not their boat.
0
0
enoonThis is part of my campaign against Newspeak.
Hi enoon,
Why do you disapprove that?
enoonthey towed the boat back by its painter.
Sorry, but I don't understand what does 'painter' mean here.
I only know these two meanings:
a) a person whose job it is to paint walls, houses
b) an artist who paints picture
0
0
Hi Mister Micawber,
Thanks a lot! There's the one, 'towed'.Emotion: yes

TL
0
0
The painter is the name of the line leading from the bow of a boat that is used to tie or tow it: meaning #3: http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/painter#painter_8
0

Related Questions