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Mekkalomp Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Usage of the preposition of of
Hi!
Could somebody tell me what the differences are between the following sentences:
1. The use of knife can be handy.
2. Using the knife can be handy.
To my understanding, the difference between sentence 1 and 2 is that sentence 1 emphasis the usage of a knife could be handy, and that sentence 2 emphasis using a knife in general could be handy. Or is there just no difference at all?
1. The members of team Bad are arrogant.
2. Team Bad's members are arrogant.
Do both sentences convey the same message? If yes, which one of the sentences would be more likely to be used in formal writing?
Could somebody tell me what the differences are between the following sentences:
1. The use of knife can be handy.
2. Using the knife can be handy.
To my understanding, the difference between sentence 1 and 2 is that sentence 1 emphasis the usage of a knife could be handy, and that sentence 2 emphasis using a knife in general could be handy. Or is there just no difference at all?
1. The members of team Bad are arrogant.
2. Team Bad's members are arrogant.
Do both sentences convey the same message? If yes, which one of the sentences would be more likely to be used in formal writing?
Top answer
1. The use of knife can be handy. You need the indefinite article: The use of a knife can be handy.
- 1.
- The use of knife can be handy.
- You need the indefinite article: The use of a knife can be handy.
- 2.
- Using the knife can be handy.
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2 Answers
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1. The use of knife can be handy. You need the indefinite article: The use of a knife can be handy.
2. Using the knife can be handy. The definite article refers to a particular knife.
"Using a knife can be handy." is probably more common.
2. Using the knife can be handy. The definite article refers to a particular knife.
"Using a knife can be handy." is probably more common.
mekkalompTo my understanding, the difference between sentence 1 an
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mekkalomp1. The use of knife can be handy.2. Using the knife can be handy.Neither of these sounds right. The basic concept of a "use" or "using" being "handy" is not natural. "The use of knife" also needs an article (or other determiner) for "knife".
You could say "This knife is handy".
mekkalomp1. The members of team Bad
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