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PreciousJones Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Wrapping

A clerk is wrapping a gift I bought for my friend. I say:

Can you just make it look nicer, instead of having you to re-wrap it. Or

Can you just make it look nicer, instead of asking you to re-wrap it.

Are both useable?
  

Top answer

Neither will work. The subject is "you" at the beginning, but the implied subject after the comma is "I". You have a choice of strategies here.

— CalifJim

  • Neither will work.
  • The subject is "you" at the beginning, but the implied subject after the comma is "I".
  • You have a choice of strategies here.
  • 1.
  • Can you just make it look nicer?
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5 Answers
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Neither will work. The subject is "you" at the beginning, but the implied subject after the comma is "I". You have a choice of strategies here.

1. Can you just make it look nicer? There's no need to rewrap it.
2. Can you just make it look nicer without rewrapping it?

CJ
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Hi,

No, no good.
Say eg Can you just make it look nicer, instead of re-wrapping it, please?

But the clerk is likely to say 'Sorry, what do you mean?'

The clerk is not re-wrapping it.
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CliveHi,No, no good.Say eg Can you just make it look nicer, instead of re-wrapping it, please?But the clerk is likely to say 'Sorry, what do you mean?'The clerk is not re-wrapping it.In addition, in what way do you want the clerk to make it look nice?Don't forget to say 'please' in such requests to sales-clerks (or to anyone else!).Clive
Let me provide the con
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If you don't like the color of the wrapping paper, how can they change it without re-wrapping it? If you have something in mind, say so -- "Can you put a big, colorful bow on it please?" or whatever.
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Hi,

Where I live, most stores do not provide such a wrapping service.
Sounds like an expensive store/

Clive
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