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Mr. Tom Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Strike it off vs knock it over

Hi

Are the underlined parts natural and do they carry the same meaning? Any other suggestions are welcome.

The cup is too far on the edge (of the table). Move it towards the centre or someone may strike it off.

The cup is too far on the edge (of the table). Move it towards the centre or someone may knock it over.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

Hi Tom Firstly, I'd say the first part of the sentence(s) is problematic. ' ; use 'too close to' instead. Striking and knocking aren't wildly different but...

— David Hatton

  • Hi Tom Firstly, I'd say the first part of the sentence(s) is problematic.
  • ' ; use 'too close to' instead.
  • Striking and knocking aren't wildly different but...
  • if you 'strike it off' then you are removing something by drawing a proverbial line through it.
  • Imagine a pen 'striking' a line through a score in a game.
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3 Answers
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Hi Tom
Firstly, I'd say the first part of the sentence(s) is problematic. You can't really say 'too far on...'; use 'too close to' instead.
Striking and knocking aren't wildly different but... if you 'strike it off' then you are removing something by drawing a proverbial line through it. Imagine a pen 'striking' a line through a score in a game. It has been struck off an
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Thanks, David.

So this one is completely natrual?

The cup is too close to the edge (of the table). Move it towards the centre or someone may knock it off.

Tom
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It's perfectly natural when written that way, Tom!
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