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Thfihe Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

She left a rich fortune when she had died.

Hello,
I would like to ask two questions about the sentene in the thread title.

She left a rich fortune when she had died.

1.Is this sentence felicitous?
2. If it is felicitous, what/which is the interepretation of the sentence?

Interpretation ?Her death and leaving a rich fortune happen simultaneously.

Interpretation ? When the fortune is left, she has been dead for years.

Thank you in advance.
  

Top answer

I've never heard a sentence called "felicitous". I think you mean "pleasing to the ear", and I don't think it is. 1) "rich" is not a normal modifier for "fortune".

— WakeP

  • I've never heard a sentence called "felicitous".
  • I think you mean "pleasing to the ear", and I don't think it is.
  • 1) "rich" is not a normal modifier for "fortune".
  • A better word would be "large" or "great" to describe its size.
  • 2) The verb tenses don't agree.
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4 Answers
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I've never heard a sentence called "felicitous". I think you mean "pleasing to the ear", and I don't think it is. 1) "rich" is not a normal modifier for "fortune". A better word would be "large" or "great" to describe its size. 2) The verb tenses don't agree. I'd prefer "She left ... when she died". I think "leaving a fortune" is a direct result of her death, and they happen simultaneously. If yo
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It is not a good sentence. The tense "had died" doesn't fit.

I also find "rich fortune" an unusual phrase, though I wouldn't say that it's definitely wrong.
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No. Just say She left a large fortune when she died.

When you die, you leave everything immediately.

Clive
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thfiheShe left a rich fortune when she had died.1.Is this sentence felicitous?2. If it is felicitous, what/which is the interepretation of the sentence?
No. People are rich, not fortunes. Also, "had died" is not necessary in an isolated sentence like this. This is all you need:

She left a fortune when she died.

CJ
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