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Tara2 Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

James had his leg broken

Can the following sentence mean "James's experience was having his leg broken "?

"James had his leg broken"

  

Top answer

", is awkward usage. This sounds like he paid someone to break his leg. ", is even more awkward.

— Anonymous

  • ", is awkward usage.
  • This sounds like he paid someone to break his leg.
  • ", is even more awkward.
  • The word "experience" is not used like this.
  • This sounds like James paid someone to break his leg, and that this was the only experience he ever had in his life.
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2 Answers
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The sentence, "James had his leg broken.", is awkward usage. This sounds like he paid someone to break his leg. You'd more likely hear: "James broke his leg."


The sentence, "James's experience was having his leg broken.", is even more awkward. The word "experience" is not used like this. This sounds like James paid someone to break his leg, and that this was the only experience

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Tara2

Can the following sentence mean "James's experience was having his leg broken "?
"James had his leg broken"

Yes, but it's absolutely the very last interpretation anyone would think of on hearing that sentence. ... had his wallet stolen might trigger such an interpretation more readily.

The line between experiential have

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