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Murof Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

promise

In the 1890's workers were drawn to from the by the promise of work in the resort hotels.

I am a little confused by the above usage of "promise" and the following prep phrase. Who is the subject of "promise"? Is "work" here a verb, or a noun? Why cannot say "working"?

  

Top answer

Sorry the display has some problem. The sentence should read: In the 1890's workers were drawn to Miami from Bahamas by the promise of work in the resort.

  • Sorry the display has some problem.
  • The sentence should read: In the 1890's workers were drawn to Miami from Bahamas by the promise of work in the resort.
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6 Answers
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Sorry the display has some problem. The sentence should read:

In the 1890's workers were drawn to Miami from Bahamas by the promise of work in the resort.
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Hello, Murof

"Promise" is not a verb here, it's a noun, introduced by "by" (agent complement of "were drawn"). "Work" is a noun as well, it's something like "the promise of (finding) work in the resort.
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Hi pieanne,

Thanks for the reply!

So does it equal to say that "workers are promised to be able to find work there..." by the undisclosed party (the exact subject in meaning) ?

-M
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Yes. "Someone promised them they would find work there, and that's what made them come to Miami".
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It is the second definition (below) of "promise", a noun, which is relevant in this case.

1 a : a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified b : a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act
2 : reason to exp
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Thanks, CJ!

Now I see, the word 'promise' here is more like the "expectation" from themselves than a "promise" made by others. Totally clarified! : )

-M

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