0
Taka Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
For
The sentence:
His music is not impossible to understand on the basic level for a Russian or French person.
About "for a Russian or French person", which does it modify, "the basic level" or "not impossible"?
His music is not impossible to understand on the basic level for a Russian or French person.
About "for a Russian or French person", which does it modify, "the basic level" or "not impossible"?
Top answer
Hello Taka The usual phrase is 'at/on a basic level'. As you point out, using 'the' has led to a certain ambiguity in this sentence. ' If a Japanese composer had been influenced by Debussy and Tchaikovsky, for instance, this sentence might be applicable.
- Hello Taka The usual phrase is 'at/on a basic level'.
- As you point out, using 'the' has led to a certain ambiguity in this sentence.
- ' If a Japanese composer had been influenced by Debussy and Tchaikovsky, for instance, this sentence might be applicable.
- MrP
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
Hello Taka
The usual phrase is 'at/on a basic level'. As you point out, using 'the'
has led to a certain ambiguity in this sentence.
But I can’t imagine a musical context in which the phrase 'the basic
level for a Russian or French person' would have meaning, so I would
guess that the writer meant:
'A Russian or French person would not find it imposs
The usual phrase is 'at/on a basic level'. As you point out, using 'the'
has led to a certain ambiguity in this sentence.
But I can’t imagine a musical context in which the phrase 'the basic
level for a Russian or French person' would have meaning, so I would
guess that the writer meant:
'A Russian or French person would not find it imposs
00
"possible", "impossible", and their negations (like many other adjectives) can take a "FOR ... TO ..." clause as subject .
Leave out "on the basic level"; it just specifies what kind of understanding (basic) is meant.
The structure is
"FOR a Russian or French person TO understand his music is not impossible."
where the italicized portion is the subject.
Leave out "on the basic level"; it just specifies what kind of understanding (basic) is meant.
The structure is
"FOR a Russian or French person TO understand his music is not impossible."
where the italicized portion is the subject.
00
In answer to Taka's original question, there seems to be a consensus
that 'for a French or Russian person' relates to 'impossible', i.e. it
doesn't mean:
1. 'His music is not impossible to understand, on the basic level for
a Russian or French person.'
The remaining interpretations—
2. 'His music is not impossible for a Russian or French person to
that 'for a French or Russian person' relates to 'impossible', i.e. it
doesn't mean:
1. 'His music is not impossible to understand, on the basic level for
a Russian or French person.'
The remaining interpretations—
2. 'His music is not impossible for a Russian or French person to
00
Related Questions