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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Happen with

Hi,

Is 'with' in 'happen with' correct? What does it mean?

"They just wanted Ted to be happy and didn't think that would happen with Mary."

Thanks a lot.
  

Top answer

Hmm, I would say it means: They just wanted Ted to be happy, and they didn't think that thing would happen if Mary was involved/if Mary was together with him/etc. "With" can have several meanings, so taken out of context it's difficult to guess. Just my opinion though.

— Kooyeen

  • Hmm, I would say it means: They just wanted Ted to be happy, and they didn't think that thing would happen if Mary was involved/if Mary was together with him/etc.
  • "With" can have several meanings, so taken out of context it's difficult to guess.
  • Just my opinion though.
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5 Answers
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Hmm, I would say it means:

They just wanted Ted to be happy, and they didn't think that thing would happen if Mary was involved/if Mary was together with him/etc.

"With" can have several meanings, so taken out of context it's difficult to guess.

Just my opinion though.
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Without context, that would happen can only refer to being happy.

So, as it stands, and in agreement with Kooyeen, I'd have to say that it means they didn't think Mary would be happy. In other words, they didn't think 'being happy' would happen in Mary's case.

CJ
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Thank you both very much. I understand now.
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CalifJimSo, as it stands, and in agreement with Kooyeen, I'd have to say that it means they didn't think Mary would be happy. In other words, they didn't think 'being happy' would happen in Mary's case.
I read it as meaning that Ted won't be happy if he is with Mary.

The original sentence:

"They just wanted Ted to be happy and didn't think t
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RayHI read it as meaning that Ted won't be happy if he is with Mary.
Hee! That works too.
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