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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Is it correct?

Good morning. Are the following questions correct? Which one sounds better?

1) What did the man aim, and what was he able to accumulate?

2) What did the man aim? What was he able to accumulate?

Thank you!
  

Top answer

" is an unusual question, to which the answer would be, say, "a rifle". I think that's not what you mean. Probably you mean "aim for" or "aim to + verb", but more context is needed.

— GPY

  • " is an unusual question, to which the answer would be, say, "a rifle".
  • I think that's not what you mean.
  • Probably you mean "aim for" or "aim to + verb", but more context is needed.
  • What was the situation, and what exactly was the man doing?
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5 Answers
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"What did the main aim?" is an unusual question, to which the answer would be, say, "a rifle". I think that's not what you mean. Probably you mean "aim for" or "aim to + verb", but more context is needed. What was the situation, and what exactly was the man doing?
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But gramatically is it wrong?

It is talking about his past years. What were his objectives during that time? What kind of knowledge, experiences, etc. has he accumulated?

Thank you!
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AnonymousBut gramatically is it wrong?
Sorry, I had some finger trouble and mistyped "man" as "main" in my previous answer.

It is grammatically correct, but, as I said, it is unusual and is asking about a physical implement such as a gun. It cannot be used to ask about someone's objectives. For that you can use "What were his aims?".

It may n
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Would 'intend' be a better choice?

What did the man intend, and what was he able to accumulate?

I am translating from Japanese. I know that it is about experience, knowledge, and so on, but cannot write it. The better choice may be 'accomplish', but it does not convey the meaning of accumulation.

Thank you!
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AnonymousWhat did the man intend, and what was he able to accumulate?
This is correct English. It is not exactly synonymous with "What were the man's aims?". "What did the man accomplish?" is also correct English; "accomplish" basically means "achieve", which is quite different from "intend" or "aim". It is impossible to say which of these is better without se
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