horrified

Question

Can I say like this:1. When Atina got to class, she was horrified to discover she had forgotten to study for the test.2. When Atina got to class, she was horrified at discovering she had forgotten to studay for the test.Thanks.

Maple · Accepted Answer

I would say these:

When Atina got to class, she was horrified to be discovered she had forgotten to study for the test. (not been discovered yet, then)

When Atina got to class, she was horrified at being discovered she had forgotten to study for the test.

Minhuoc · Answer

Hi, Maple.

Why do you use the passive voice here? Please explain. Thanks.

Marius Hancu · Answer

Maple:
Pls stop providing bad advice.

Minhuoc:
Your sentences are both OK, but I would prefer the 1st.

[personal remarks are removed by mod]

Maple · Answer

Marius Hancu:

I'm sorry if I'm wrong.

But I think the Poster himself could tell whether the respondents are proficient users or not by our "logo"s: The proficient user has a "tick" under his ID, and the location also gives some hint.

This is the second time this afternoon I followed Minhuoc's thread. I started the first one with "I was taught that". With my location, I think one can easily draw the conclusion that I myself am an ESL student. So I didn't start this post with similar remarks.

And is it a rule that only the proficient users could make responses to others' posts? Is it a rule that only the absolutely CORRECT responses could be made here?

This is my judgement: If I think it is reasonable, then I can post it here. If I'm wrong, I can learn from more proficient speakers' responses.

As to the bold letters in post 257570, I like to use them to make the content more easily to read. Right or wrong, one can discover it at first glance. The bold letters doesn't mean I'm very sure about it.

*****************

As to the two sentences:

I chose the passive voice, because I think she was horrified by the thought that others or the test result would discover that she had forgotten to prepare for the test.

"Find" should be a better choice (I think) in that place if in the active voice.

If one discovers oneself sth, then sth should be hidden more deeply, one must make some efforts to learn it. See:

Man is created and left to discover himself

He discovered that he himself had been tricked by that man.

But of course, this is only my take. If you find it's wrong, any comments would be appreciated.

****************

Minhuoc:

I'm sorry I failed to make some more explanations immediatly because I was away from my computer at that time.

Marius Hancu · Answer

The original posting:

1. When Atina got to class, she was horrified to discover she had
forgotten to study for the test. Means she was distressed to find/realize HERSELF that she hadn't studied.

Maple's version:

1. When Atina got to class, she was horrified to be discovered she had
forgotten to study for the test. Means she was distressed that it could be found/realized/discovered BY OTHERS that she hadn't studied. The meaning is totally different, because the agent making the discovery/find is different (herself in the first, others in the 2nd version).

When you propose alternatives, you should point out the differences in meaning, if any.

Maple · Answer

That makes much sense. Thanks for it.

Minhuoc · Answer

Maple,

You don't need to apology. All your help will be appreaciated.

Thank you very much Marius and Maple.

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