Usage of the verb "resolved"

Question

Hi,I'm a newby to this forum, so thanks for having me!I wanted to ask to things:1. Can one say "being resolved, they took the first steps toward collective enforcement of..."I don't think u're supposed to say "being resolved" in that way, right?2. Is it correct to say "One of the important European countries", because I thought that u're supposed to say "one of the most important" or "more important" or else just say "an important country".I would appreciate a response!Thank you,Dana

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
Welcome to the Forum.

I wanted to ask to things:
1. Can one say "being resolved, they took the first steps toward collective enforcement of..."
I don't think u're supposed to say "being resolved" in that way, right?
If you mean that they were 'determined', you could say that. However, the phrase sounds rather awkward. Do you think you really need it in the sentence?
You could consider saying it in another way, eg 'With determination, they took . . .'

2. Is it correct to say "One of the important European countries", It's OK. It sounds like you are thinking that there are several important countries in Europe.

because I thought that u're supposed to say "one of the most important" It's OK. It sounds like you are thinking that there are several countries in Europe which are very important..

or "more important" It's OK. It sounds like you are thinking that some countriues in Europe are more important than others.

or else just say "an important country".It's OK. It doesn't really tell us anything much about your opinion of other countries in Europe.

Best wishes. Clive

Avangi · Answer

Hi, Hadas1, Welcome to the English Forums. Thanks for joining us!

I think your first example is fine. It's no different than saying, "Being late, they ran to school."

Adjectives have three degrees. I can't remember what you call the first one. Let's say, "regular," "comparative," and "superlative." There's nothing wrong with using the first one. "One of the new hybrid cars on the market is the Prius." "Newer," and "newest" also work. "A new hybrid car on the market is the Prius" is also correct, as you say, but it sounds rather dull.

Best wishes, - A.

Hadas1 · Answer

Thank you Clive and Avangi for your quick replies.
The "European countries" part was really useful. I'll leave it as it is.

Regarding the "resolved" part - I am only proofreading and can't change the meaning much...I would prefer to say "resolved to _(act)...they took the first steps...but that would be too much of a change...
I guess I will leave it as it is, because Avangi also thought it sounded fine...
Thanks again

Avangi · Answer

"Being resolved" would probably not be used very often by the average person in casual speech, but I'd expect to find it in all sorts of written material, fictional and non-.

Anonymous · Answer

I  think "one of the most important" would be incorrect. There can only be one "most important". I would say "one of the more important". Or one could argue that they are all equally important, but that it is not academically relevant to the question.

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousI would say "one of the more important."

Wouldn't the same logic apply here? We use the comparative degree when comparing two items. How many of them can be more important than the other?

Clive · Answer

Hi,
You are being too strict in your attempts to be logical.

Native speakers commonly think of things in groups when comparing.

eg Out of all the students in the class. one group is smart, one group is smarter, and one group is the smartest.
Thus, we can and commonly do say things like this.
Tom is one of the smartest students in the class.
Mary is one of the smarter students in the class.

Best wishes, Clive

Usage of the verb "resolved"

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