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Hagirl Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Some Question
I understand the phrase "take a lead", in the context of a sports contest, to mean "gain a lead". But the this passage from an article appears to use "take a lead" differently:
story:
"For much of the second half, the Grizzlies were in control as their lead ballooned to as many as 12 points. They took a 73-64 lead to the fourth quarter, but a 7-0 run by the Thunder tied the game at 84 on a Durant pull-up jumper with 3:46 remaining. "
But "take a lead" is a one-time transition activity, not a state event. Having "to the fourth" after it seems to suggest that "take a lead" is a state event. Would this be better? "They took a 73-64 lead and maintained the lead to the fourth quarter"?
story:
"For much of the second half, the Grizzlies were in control as their lead ballooned to as many as 12 points. They took a 73-64 lead to the fourth quarter, but a 7-0 run by the Thunder tied the game at 84 on a Durant pull-up jumper with 3:46 remaining. "
But "take a lead" is a one-time transition activity, not a state event. Having "to the fourth" after it seems to suggest that "take a lead" is a state event. Would this be better? "They took a 73-64 lead and maintained the lead to the fourth quarter"?
Top answer
hagirl They took a 73-64 lead and maintained the lead to the fourth quarter Also possible. It's better if you think being more literal is better. It's not better if you think being more colorful and metaphoric is better.
- hagirl They took a 73-64 lead and maintained the lead to the fourth quarter Also possible.
- It's better if you think being more literal is better.
- It's not better if you think being more colorful and metaphoric is better.
- In the original wording you are expected to compare points in a game to a possession that you can carry around and take to different places with you.
- You are also expected to compare different times in the game to different places.
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3 Answers
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hagirlThey took a 73-64 lead and maintained the lead to the fourth quarterAlso possible.
It's better if you think being more literal is better.
It's not better if you think being more colorful and metaphoric is better.
In the original wording you are expected to compare points in a game to a possession that you can carry around and take
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Taking that theory in reverse, does that mean a durative state could be a possession that could be "carried" to a physical location, like in a marathon
......you are expected to compare points in a game to a possession that you can carry around and take to different places with you. You are also expected to compare different times in the game to different places.
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hagirlTaking that theory in reverse, does that mean a durative state could be a possession that could be "carried" to a physical location, like in a marathon:"He maintained his lead to the 5-mile mark, but fell behind after that point."even though a durative state is usually thought of as lasting to a point in time, not to a location?Yes. Time and place some
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