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Avangi Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Misplaced modifier in passive voice?
Einstein can without a doubt be called a genius. This doesn't bother me.
But this lead sentence from the program notes of a concert I attended last night at UCLA doesn't seem right:
Composer, producer, pianist and singer Allen Toussaint can,
without hesitation, be called a living legend.
Does anyone else find it odd?
Somehow, I feel that "without hesitation" wants to modify "Allen Toussaint."
It's really the unnamed actor who doesn't hesitate.
I realize there are ways to avoid this, but I'm wondering if it's really acceptable.
(I suppose it's no different than saying, "The jar can easily be opened.")
Thanks,
- A.
But this lead sentence from the program notes of a concert I attended last night at UCLA doesn't seem right:
Composer, producer, pianist and singer Allen Toussaint can,
without hesitation, be called a living legend.
Does anyone else find it odd?
Somehow, I feel that "without hesitation" wants to modify "Allen Toussaint."
It's really the unnamed actor who doesn't hesitate.
I realize there are ways to avoid this, but I'm wondering if it's really acceptable.
(I suppose it's no different than saying, "The jar can easily be opened.")
Thanks,
- A.
Top answer
Hi Avangi, I see nothing odd in the sentence, but then, I'm not a native speaker. The sentence does remind me of a native speaker who thinks that only a few words such as doctor and professor can be used before a person's name to indicate his profession or job. Composer and producer were not on his list of acceptable titles.
- Hi Avangi, I see nothing odd in the sentence, but then, I'm not a native speaker.
- The sentence does remind me of a native speaker who thinks that only a few words such as doctor and professor can be used before a person's name to indicate his profession or job.
- Composer and producer were not on his list of acceptable titles.
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1 Answers
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Hi Avangi,
I see nothing odd in the sentence, but then, I'm not a native speaker. The sentence does remind me of a native speaker who thinks that only a few words such as doctor and professor can be used before a person's name to indicate his profession or job. Composer and producer were not on his list of acceptable titles.
I see nothing odd in the sentence, but then, I'm not a native speaker. The sentence does remind me of a native speaker who thinks that only a few words such as doctor and professor can be used before a person's name to indicate his profession or job. Composer and producer were not on his list of acceptable titles.
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