On repeating the object in a subordinate

[Simosito]

Hello,
which one is the correct sentence:

a. They did threaten our biggest supporters, who did not know they were, with a clasp knife.

b. They did threaten our biggest supporters, who did not know they were supporters, with a clasp knife.

c. They did threaten our biggest supporters, who did not know to be, with a clasp knife.

Thank you,
S~

[bhaisahab]

Originally Posted by Simosito

Hello,
which one is the correct sentence:

a. They did threaten our biggest supporters, who did not know they were, with a clasp knife.

b. They did threaten our biggest supporters, who did not know they were supporters, with a clasp knife.

c. They did threaten our biggest supporters, who did not know to be, with a clasp knife.

Thank you,
S~

It's not very clear what you want to say. Can you word it differently?

[Simosito]

Those who were threatened are now fans but they didn't know they were supporters till they were threatened.

It's a funny way to say that they were threatened so that they could become fans and now they are fans.

[birdeen's call]

I think there are too many theys in your sentence and that makes it unclear. "They" can be both supporters and those who threaten them.

I think you mean the following. I hope it's correct.

They did threaten our biggest supporters, who they did not know were supporters, with a clasp knife.

But it's not the best sentence I've seen in my life...

[Simosito]

Ok, I shall try to make this thing a little bit more clear.
people who were not supporters people with knives

They did threaten our biggest supporters, who did not know to be [supporters], with a clasp knife.

So somebody made not-supporters into supporters with knives. These not-supporters acknowledged they were supporters once threatened.

[bhaisahab]

Originally Posted by Simosito

Ok, I shall try to make this thing a little bit more clear.
people who were not supporters people with knives

They did threaten our biggest supporters, who did not know to be [supporters], with a clasp knife.

So somebody made not-supporters into supporters with knives. These not-supporters acknowledged they were supporters once threatened.

Our biggest supporters didn't know that they were supporters, until they were threatened by people with clasp knives.
Just a suggestion.

[Simosito]

Alas it is a translation, so I have to keep it as similar as possible to the Italian text.

(Hanno minacciato i nostri più sfegatati fan, che non sapevano di esserlo, con un coltellino a serramanico)

[bhaisahab]

Originally Posted by Simosito

Alas it is a translation, so I have to keep it as similar as possible to the Italian text.

(Hanno minacciato i nostri più sfegatati fan, che non sapevano di esserlo, con un coltellino a serramanico)

Sorry, I don't fully understand Italian. Perhaps Raymott may be able to help, I believe he is of Italian origin.

[birdeen's call]

Originally Posted by Simosito

Alas it is a translation, so I have to keep it as similar as possible to the Italian text.

(Hanno minacciato i nostri più sfegatati fan, che non sapevano di esserlo, con un coltellino a serramanico)

I speak a bit of Italian but I'm still not sure what you mean. I understand that "che" refers to "i fan". Does "non sapevano" refer to "i fan" too? Didn't the fans know they were fans themselves?

[Simosito]

YES!