marriage

Question

Please show me which is correct:1. Nobody can prevent our getting married.2. Nobody can prevent our marriage.Thanks.

Ruslana · Accepted Answer

Both.

I'd also say, "Nobody can prevent us from getting married".

Maple · Answer

Somehow I sensed sth inappropriate in sentence "2"

It's as if that "marriage" could be damaged, destroyed, or broken, rather than be "prevented". But I'm not sure. I'd like to read the teachers' responses.

Goodman · Answer

MapleSomehow I sensed sth inappropriate in sentence "2"

It's as if that "marriage" could be damaged, destroyed, or broken, rather than be "prevented". But I'm not sure. I'd like to read the teachers' responses.

Maple,

Both sentences sounded off to me. Prevent and avoid are very similar verbs which can be interchangeable in certain context but not always. I see it like this. If my guess is correct, what you meant was “Nobody can avoid getting married”. Prevent is not the right word to use in reference to marriage.

We can say “we have to drive carefully to prevent from accidents”.

to avoid accidents.

You can say “ To prevent from being a victim of crime, avoid walking alone in unlighted area at night”.

BTW, [our ] is not needed in the context. Hope this helps you!

Maple · Answer

Thank you Goodman.

And could I learn a phrase from you?
What does "sound off" mean?

The Dict. says: (informal, disapproving) to express your opinions loudly or in an aggressive way.

Goodman · Answer

Sound [a little off] Off - as not on the right track.

He sounded a little upset - Unhappy

The music sounds good.

Maple · Answer

I get it now. Thank you again.

Marius Hancu · Answer

Also:
to sound off=to sound off tune, to sound out of tune

Marius Hancu · Answer

Prevent a marriage seems correct according to these writers:

Pride and Prejudice by Austen, Jane - Chapter 57

of her resolution to prevent their marriage, it occurred to Elizabeth that she must meditate an application to her nephew; ...

Lady Susan by Austen, Jane - Chapter 12

motives, take all possible pains to prevent his marriage with Catherine. My years and increasing infirmities make me very desirous of seeing you ...

The Hand of Ethelberta by Hardy, Thomas - Chapter 46

'You did not come to prevent my marriage?' 'We wished to see you before the marriage--I can't say more.' 'I thought you might not approve of what I had done ...

The American by James, Henry - Chapter 14

"Does 'every one' wish to prevent my marriage?" "I am afraid of already having said too much," Mrs. Bread replied. "I won't take it back, but I won't say ...

Marie by Haggard, H. Rider - Chapter 9

"Ja, ja, I promise that then I will do nothing to prevent your marriage," answered Marais eagerly, like one who has suddenly seen some ...

The Black Arrow by Stevenson, Robert Louis - Chapter 23

Craven to prevent this marriage; and, Master ****, ye know the way of him--do so he will!" "Nay, then," returned ****, with composure, "you and I, my poor ...

Maple · Answer

Interesting. Thanks for this information!

Goodman · Answer

MapleInteresting. Thanks for this information!

Going back to the original context, I would say, “nobody can stop our getting married” is perfectly fine. Maybe it’s me, [prevent] sounds rough on the edges.

Sure, prevent something from happening sounds perfectly correct.

We must prevent their wedding ceremony from taking place- fine. But if this marriage is opposed, then the opposing feeling should want to stop it all together. Prevent gives me a sense of allowance somehow.

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