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Vincent Teo Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
pointed it at
Can I say,
(a) A man pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the salesman.
(a) A man pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the salesman.
Top answer
Yes, that's OK.
- Yes, that's OK.
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3 Answers
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Can I say,
(a) Onre of the masked man pointed at the salesgirl with his pistol.
(a) Onre of the masked man pointed at the salesgirl with his pistol.
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Yes, but it has a different emphasis.
In 'pointed a pistol at' then it is clear that the pistol is being aimed at someone as a weapon.
'pointed at someone with a pistol' has the emphasis on the action of pointing - the girl is being pointed out - but the fact that a pistol is used to do it is only a minor matter. It suggests that he isn't aiming to shoot. He is just pointing her
In 'pointed a pistol at' then it is clear that the pistol is being aimed at someone as a weapon.
'pointed at someone with a pistol' has the emphasis on the action of pointing - the girl is being pointed out - but the fact that a pistol is used to do it is only a minor matter. It suggests that he isn't aiming to shoot. He is just pointing her
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