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Peaceblinkfriend Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

"...has its basis on the Dreamtime. "

Customary law was developed by Aboriginal people and has its basis on the Dreamtime.

Does this sentence sound natural?

Thanks

PBF
  

Top answer

No, to me it sounds off. I would prefer the preposition 'in' here, instead of 'on', but if I had my way, I would rephrase the sentence: Customary law was developed by Aboriginal people and is based on [the notion/concept of] Dreamtime.

— Sausages

  • No, to me it sounds off.
  • I would prefer the preposition 'in' here, instead of 'on', but if I had my way, I would rephrase the sentence: Customary law was developed by Aboriginal people and is based on [the notion/concept of] Dreamtime.
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5 Answers
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No, to me it sounds off.

I would prefer the preposition 'in' here, instead of 'on', but if I had my way, I would rephrase the sentence:

Customary law was developed by Aboriginal people and is based on [the notion/concept of] Dreamtime.
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Ah, I see. Thanks for your suggestion. I wonder what if I wanted to use the word 'basis'? Would it be possible to do so in a natural way?

Besides that, what does 'if I had my way' mean?

Thank you

PBF
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I just meant that I would phrase it that way if I were to write the sentence for a paper or whatever communication you need this for.
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SausagesCustomary law was developed by Aboriginal people and has its basis in [the] Dreamtime.

or,

Customary law was developed by Aboriginal people and has [the] Dreamtime as its basis.

It should be 'Aborigines'.
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Yes, sorry about that.

'Aboriginals' is also acceptable, or 'aboriginal people' (non-capitalized).
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