Is there any mistake in this sentence?

Question

Hi,Do you think there is an error in this sentence?"Unless bothered , the bird may desert the nest, leaving the chicks to depart this life"Among underlined words I don't see any mistake in this sentence or maybe I don't recognize the mistake.I would like to get your opinion about this.MAI LAN

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

'Unless' is not incorrect grammar, but it does not make sense in terms of meaning.

For a sensible meaning, say 'If bothered'.

Clive

Happywoman · Answer

The problem with 'unless' is that it changes the meaning of the whole sentence. It suggests that the bird will only stay in the nest with its chicks if it is bothered, whereas I think you wanted to say that the bird will desert its chicks IF it is bothered.

So, as the other poster said, it would be better to use "If" as in "If bothered, the bird may desert the nest, etc"

The rest of it is fine, though I find the phrase "to depart this life" a little coy, and would prefer the simple clarity of

"to die" or, if you don't want to be so blunt, something like "to fend for themselves" - it would probably be obvious to the reader that the chicks wouldn't survive very long.

Hope this was helpful.

Is there any mistake in this sentence?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions