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Mr. Tom Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

It remained unclear as to who was ...

Hi

Are both of these sentences correct?

It remained unclear as to who was responsible for the crash.
It remained unclear who was responsible for the crash.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

The first one doesn't sound right to me. " (except in the very unlikely case that "It" refers to a sentient being). The second one is correct.

— GPY

  • The first one doesn't sound right to me.
  • " (except in the very unlikely case that "It" refers to a sentient being).
  • The second one is correct.
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9 Answers
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The first one doesn't sound right to me. "He was unclear as to who ...", for example, is possible, but not with "It remained ..." (except in the very unlikely case that "It" refers to a sentient being).

The second one is correct.
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Thanks, GPY.

Is this correct?

He was unclear as to who was responsible for the robbery.

...and what about this one here? Can we drop as to?

He was unclear who was responsible for the robbery.

Tom
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Mr. TomHe was unclear as to who was responsible for the robbery....and what about this one here? Can we drop as to?He was unclear who was responsible for the robbery.
My preference would be for the second, on the basis that "as to" is not adding anything of real value. However, the first is acceptable, and it is not unusual to see this pattern used.
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Mr. TomAre both of these sentences correct?
They both seem fine to me. Nevertheless I agree that "as to" adds nothing of any importance.

CJ
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CalifJimThey both seem fine to me. Nevertheless I agree that "as to" adds nothing of any importance.
Just to be sure, you mean that you think the original "It remained unclear as to who was responsible for the crash" is correct?
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GPYJust to be sure, you mean that you think the original "It remained unclear as to who was responsible for the crash" is correct?
Yes. Perfectly correct. In fact, to my ear it seems more natural for "it" to be unclear as to ... than for a person to be unclear as to .... I would say that a person was "in doubt" rather than "unclear" unless I m
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CalifJimYes. Perfectly correct
Strange. For me, "It remained unclear as to who was responsible" is faulty for the same reason that "It remained unclear about who was responsible" is faulty. I assume you wouldn't accept the latter?
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GPYyou wouldn't accept the latter?
It seems that I don't find it as off-putting as you do, but I don't find it as acceptable as the former with "as to".

I'm beginning to get a little glimmer of what bothers you about these.
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GPY For me, "It remained unclear as to who was responsible" is faulty
It is for me, too. I'm not sure that I could give a convincing explanation of why (as to why?
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