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Seagull Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

come into existence

Please evaluate the following four sentences in terms of correctness and naturalness.

(A) According to the scientists, a new kind of flu virus could have come into existence in the world.

(B) According to the scientists, a new kind of flu virus could have come into being in the world.

(C) According to the scientists, a new kind of flu virus could have appeared in the world.

(D) According to the scientists, a new kind of flu virus could have come up in the world.
  

Top answer

seagull According to the scientists, If you're referring to specific scientists, keep the definite article. Otherwise, drop it. For the second part of the sentence, I would simply say, " ...

— Teechr

  • seagull According to the scientists, If you're referring to specific scientists, keep the definite article.
  • Otherwise, drop it.
  • For the second part of the sentence, I would simply say, " ...
  • " or " ...
  • "
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4 Answers
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seagullAccording to the scientists,
If you're referring to specific scientists, keep the definite article. Otherwise, drop it.

For the second part of the sentence, I would simply say, " ... could have appeared." or " ... could have come into being."
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Thank you so much, Teechr. I'll keep in mind your reference to the definite article.

How about (A) and (D)? Does either of them sound very unnatural?
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seagullHow about (A) and (D)? Does either of them sound very unnatural?
"In the world" is redundant in A, and D is unnatural.
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I understand.
Thank you very much indeed.
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