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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
in vs of
1. Brazil ranks first in the world.
2. Brazil ranks first of the world.
I know sentence #1 is correct. Could someone explain why #2 isn't, other than that it doesn't sound right?
Also, as rank is another one of those ergative verbs, which of the following two constructions is used more often?
3. Brazil ranked first in the world.
4. Brazil was ranked first in the world.
Thanks.
2. Brazil ranks first of the world.
I know sentence #1 is correct. Could someone explain why #2 isn't, other than that it doesn't sound right?
Also, as rank is another one of those ergative verbs, which of the following two constructions is used more often?
3. Brazil ranked first in the world.
4. Brazil was ranked first in the world.
Thanks.
Top answer
A superlative is followed by in (the world). first acts as a superlative in this sentence. Either 3 or 4 can be used.
- A superlative is followed by in (the world).
- first acts as a superlative in this sentence.
- Either 3 or 4 can be used.
- I don't know how to determine which is used more often.
- 4 gives the impression that a process of ranking was done systematically by some group that does that sort of thing.
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3 Answers
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A superlative is followed by in (the world). first acts as a superlative in this sentence.
Either 3 or 4 can be used. I don't know how to determine which is used more often. 4 gives the impression that a process of ranking was done systematically by some group that does that sort of thing. That element is not so prominent in 3.
CJ
Either 3 or 4 can be used. I don't know how to determine which is used more often. 4 gives the impression that a process of ranking was done systematically by some group that does that sort of thing. That element is not so prominent in 3.
CJ
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Thanks for your reply. I posted the question without realizing I hadn't logged in.
I wonder if the answer has t
CalifJimA superlative is followed by in (the world). first acts as a superlative in this sentence.Intuitively I would agree, but apparently this rule doesn't apply to "best", as in "best in show" vs "best of show".
I wonder if the answer has t
00
"best of show" strikes me as a fixed phrase. One is almost tempted to hyphenate it: best-of-show.
The spaniel was the best dog in the show. (*of the show).
CJ
[3]
The spaniel was the best dog in the show. (*of the show).
CJ
[3]
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