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Navitasan Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

When the plane takes off

Are these sentences correct:

1) Right now, I am only worried about my reaction when the plane takes off. I have never been in a plane and I am worried that I will be scared stiff when the plane takes off.

2) Right now, I am only worried about myself when the plane takes off. I have never been in a plane and I am worried that I will be scared stiff when the plane takes off.

The idea is that I have to take a plane and I am worried now about the reaction I will have/how I will be when the plane is taking off. So, 'when the plane takes off' does not modify 'I am worried'. It postmodifies 'my reaction' and ''myself'.

Gratefully,
Navi.
  

Top answer

I prefer (1). (2) could be taken to mean that you are worried about yourself as opposed to other people (which I think you don't mean). Even in (1), the first sentence is technically ambiguous as to what "when the plane takes off" modifies, but the meaning you explain makes more sense and is likely to be assumed, I think.

— GPY

  • I prefer (1).
  • (2) could be taken to mean that you are worried about yourself as opposed to other people (which I think you don't mean).
  • Even in (1), the first sentence is technically ambiguous as to what "when the plane takes off" modifies, but the meaning you explain makes more sense and is likely to be assumed, I think.
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4 Answers
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I prefer (1). (2) could be taken to mean that you are worried about yourself as opposed to other people (which I think you don't mean).

Even in (1), the first sentence is technically ambiguous as to what "when the plane takes off" modifies, but the meaning you explain makes more sense and is likely to be assumed, I think.
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I agree with GPY but I'd use on a plane , not in a plane.
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navitasanwhen the plane takes off.
That second use of "the plane" is repetitive. It would be better as: when it takes off.
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navitasanAre these sentences correct
Yes. 1) is better.
navitasan'when the plane takes off' does not modify 'I am worried'. It postmodifies 'my reaction' and ''myself'.
That's how I would read it, yes.

CJ
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