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Tamguatlay Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Which is the better sentence?

Her husband answered, “Long ago, my father was the super-wealthy man of Shravasti (the capital of the kingdom of Kosala).

Her husband answered, “Long ago, my father was the super-wealthy man of Shravasti, the capital of the kingdom of Kosala.

Which is the better sentence?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

"the super-wealthy man of Shravasti" may not be right. It sounds as if it's understood that there is exactly one super-wealthy man in that city. You may mean "my father was a super-wealthy man living in Shravasti".

— GPY

  • "the super-wealthy man of Shravasti" may not be right.
  • It sounds as if it's understood that there is exactly one super-wealthy man in that city.
  • You may mean "my father was a super-wealthy man living in Shravasti".
  • As far as the punctuation is concerned, both are acceptable.
  • In a narrative I prefer the second.
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2 Answers
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"the super-wealthy man of Shravasti" may not be right. It sounds as if it's understood that there is exactly one super-wealthy man in that city. You may mean "my father was a super-wealthy man living in Shravasti".

As far as the punctuation is concerned, both are acceptable. In a narrative I prefer the second.
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'Super-wealthy' is not a sophisticated coinage. Which do you mean?—

Long ago, my father was the wealthiest man in Shravasti, the capital of the kingdom of Kosala.
Long ago, my father was a very wealthy man in Shravasti, the capital of the kingdom of Kosala.
Long ago, my father was a millionaire in Shravasti, the capital of the kingdom of Kosa
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