0
Well Wisher Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

which is more conversational

He gave a five-dollar tip to the waiter

Or

He gave the waiter a five-dollar tip.

Which one is more conversational and widely used?
  

Top answer

I'd have hard time saying one is used more often than the other. Perhaps the second one. But I'm not convinced of that.

— BarbaraPA

  • I'd have hard time saying one is used more often than the other.
  • Perhaps the second one.
  • But I'm not convinced of that.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

6 Answers
0
I'd have hard time saying one is used more often than the other. Perhaps the second one. But I'm not convinced of that.
0
0
To me, the second version flows easier off the tongue. Therefore, for me, it's more conversational!

What's more important (to the waiter) is whether the $5 tip was sufficient!
0
0
I can only find the second construction (gave the * a *) in the British National Corpus.
0
0
Google is almost two to one for the second construction.

Edit. Sorry, I just noticed the date. My Vista has resumed it's mysterious habit of opening up second, third and fourth windows in areas of the site I've never visited. (It's not my mouse - I replaced it.)

Anybody else have this problem? I was blaming it on the site, because it started with the new software, and then
0
0
You are alone on this. My problem with the site is it's always down!!!
0

Related Questions