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Spooner Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Lining up two actions in a sentence
I have a question about lining up two independent actions the subject performed in a sentence.
For instance, if I want to combine these two sentences,
He sweared at my mom.
He harrassed my mom.
If I write mindlessly "He sweared at and harrassed my mom.", it seems awkward.
But if I switched the verb position as "He harrassed and sweared at my mom." it sounds somewhat acceptable.
This is a bit troublesome for me. Is the former wrong and while the latter is right?
I wonder if using different structure (such as using present participles) is what native speakers would rather adopt to avoid this messiness in a situation like this.
Any tips or advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
For instance, if I want to combine these two sentences,
He sweared at my mom.
He harrassed my mom.
If I write mindlessly "He sweared at and harrassed my mom.", it seems awkward.
But if I switched the verb position as "He harrassed and sweared at my mom." it sounds somewhat acceptable.
This is a bit troublesome for me. Is the former wrong and while the latter is right?
I wonder if using different structure (such as using present participles) is what native speakers would rather adopt to avoid this messiness in a situation like this.
Any tips or advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Top answer
These are questions about style rather than about grammar. When you combine a 'normal' verb (like 'harrass') with a verb that requires a preposition (like 'swear at'), it's usually better style to put the verb with the preposition last. You have already figured that out because you said it sounds more acceptable that way.
- These are questions about style rather than about grammar.
- When you combine a 'normal' verb (like 'harrass') with a verb that requires a preposition (like 'swear at'), it's usually better style to put the verb with the preposition last.
- You have already figured that out because you said it sounds more acceptable that way.
- Most English speakers would agree with you about that.
- If you can find another way of structuring a sentence that avoids this problem entirely, for example, with different verbs with similar meanings, then of course that would be even better.
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2 Answers
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These are questions about style rather than about grammar.
When you combine a 'normal' verb (like 'harrass') with a verb that requires a preposition (like 'swear at'), it's usually better style to put the verb with the preposition last. You have already figured that out because you said it sounds more acceptable that way. Most English speakers would agree with you about that.
I
When you combine a 'normal' verb (like 'harrass') with a verb that requires a preposition (like 'swear at'), it's usually better style to put the verb with the preposition last. You have already figured that out because you said it sounds more acceptable that way. Most English speakers would agree with you about that.
I
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The way I frame the question was rather clumsy but still you gave me an excellent answer.
I thank you for that.
(Also, thanks for the correction.)
I thank you for that.
(Also, thanks for the correction.)
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