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Moon7296 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
The order of an object
"I'll pay back four times the amount."
Why 'the amount' is placed the end, not after pay or pay back (pay the amount back or pay back the amount four times?)
Why 'the amount' is placed the end, not after pay or pay back (pay the amount back or pay back the amount four times?)
Top answer
In constructions such as this, the first amount is left out. I'll pay back (an amount that is) four times the amount. I think you realize that you're dealing with two amounts here and the first one is implicit.
- In constructions such as this, the first amount is left out.
- I'll pay back (an amount that is) four times the amount.
- I think you realize that you're dealing with two amounts here and the first one is implicit.
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2 Answers
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In constructions such as this, the first amount is left out.
I'll pay back (an amount that is) four times the amount.
I think you realize that you're dealing with two amounts here and the first one is implicit.
I'll pay back (an amount that is) four times the amount.
I think you realize that you're dealing with two amounts here and the first one is implicit.
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Both are possible but they have different meanings.
I'll pay back the amount four times/I'll pay the amount back four times
- This means you'll pay it once, then again, then again, then again.
I'll pay back four times the amount
- This means you'll pay the amount x 4 (in one go)
I'll pay back the amount four times/I'll pay the amount back four times
- This means you'll pay it once, then again, then again, then again.
I'll pay back four times the amount
- This means you'll pay the amount x 4 (in one go)
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