0
Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Sentence help

Should it be 'to reproduce' or 'to be reproduced' in this sentence?

The unique composition and proportion of lipids have been unable to reproduce in commercial formulas.

The unique composition and proportion of lipids have been unable to be reproduced in commercial formulas.

I think 'to reproduce' does not make sense and the second is correct. Do you agree?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

The first is incorrect. The second is closer to the correct use of "reproduce", but it is a horrible sentence. One solution would be to make the sentence active, with a subject such as "researchers", say.

— GPY

  • The first is incorrect.
  • The second is closer to the correct use of "reproduce", but it is a horrible sentence.
  • One solution would be to make the sentence active, with a subject such as "researchers", say.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
The first is incorrect. The second is closer to the correct use of "reproduce", but it is a horrible sentence. One solution would be to make the sentence active, with a subject such as "researchers", say.
0
0
GPYThe first is incorrect. The second is closer to the correct use of "reproduce", but it is a horrible sentence. One solution would be to make the sentence active, with a subject such as "researchers", say.
Thanks a lot. That was what I thought. I read the incorrect sentence in an article and thought it was wrong, and in order for it to be correct "reproduce"
0
0
AnonymousWould you demonstrate how this horrible, although correct sentence I suggested, would be better in the active form with the use of "researchers" please!
'Composition' includes 'proportion'.

Researchers have been unable to reproduce the unique composition of lipids in commercial formulas.
0
0
Mister MicawberAnonymousWould you demonstrate how this horrible, although correct sentence I suggested, would be better in the active form with the use of "researchers" please!'Composition' includes 'proportion'.Researchers have been unable to reproduce the unique composition of lipids in commercial formulas.
Thanks a lot teacher. I actually did not write this
0

Related Questions