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Pleasehelp Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Lenses

Knocked off my contact lenses. Or

Knocked out my contact lenses. Or

Knocked my contact lenses off. Or

Knocked my contact lenses out.

Are all four ok?
  

Top answer

The preposition ("out", "off") can be put in either position, but stylistically I prefer it next to "knocked". I'd want to know more about the circumstances before deciding which of "knocked off" or "knocked out", if either, is natural. Are the lenses being worn at the time?

— Mr Wordy

  • The preposition ("out", "off") can be put in either position, but stylistically I prefer it next to "knocked".
  • I'd want to know more about the circumstances before deciding which of "knocked off" or "knocked out", if either, is natural.
  • Are the lenses being worn at the time?
  • Exactly how are they dislodged?
  • " But is such a thing physically possible?
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2 Answers
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The preposition ("out", "off") can be put in either position, but stylistically I prefer it next to "knocked".

I'd want to know more about the circumstances before deciding which of "knocked off" or "knocked out", if either, is natural. Are the lenses being worn at the time? Exactly how are they dislodged?

To me, "knocked out" suggests a strong blow: "He hit me so hard, it knoc
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Out.
Only out.

But I agree - it's a pretty violent collision that will knock out your lenses. Perhaps "dislodged" would be a better phrase.
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