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Moon7296 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
like or unlike
1. I wouldn't tell a secret to the policeman like you.
2. I wouldn't tell a secret to the policeman unlike you.
Q) Does #1 mean "you" don't tell a secret to the policeman and #2 mean "you" tell a secret to the policeman?
Or are they just poorly spoken?
2. I wouldn't tell a secret to the policeman unlike you.
Q) Does #1 mean "you" don't tell a secret to the policeman and #2 mean "you" tell a secret to the policeman?
Or are they just poorly spoken?
Top answer
Your interpretation probably matches the intention, but it is clearer to write them like this: 1. Like you, I wouldn't tell a secret to a/the policeman. 2.
- Your interpretation probably matches the intention, but it is clearer to write them like this: 1.
- Like you, I wouldn't tell a secret to a/the policeman.
- 2.
- Unlike you, I wouldn't tell a secret to a/the policeman.
- e.
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1 Answers
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Your interpretation probably matches the intention, but it is clearer to write them like this:
1. Like you, I wouldn't tell a secret to a/the policeman.
2. Unlike you, I wouldn't tell a secret to a/the policeman.
The original form of #1 is particularly confusing because it reads as if "policeman like you" (i.e. "policeman similar to you") is one phrase.
1. Like you, I wouldn't tell a secret to a/the policeman.
2. Unlike you, I wouldn't tell a secret to a/the policeman.
The original form of #1 is particularly confusing because it reads as if "policeman like you" (i.e. "policeman similar to you") is one phrase.
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