Was riding on a Harley

[namloan]

1. Has that girl ever had her mobile phone or backpack snatched while she was riding on her Harley?
2. Has that girl's earrings or necklace ever been snatched when she was walking in the street?

Could I use these sentences in conversations?

Thanks so much

[bhaisahab]

1. Has that girl ever had her mobile phone or backpack snatched while she was riding on her Harley?
2. Have that girl's earrings or necklace ever been snatched when she was walking in the street?

Could I use these sentences in conversations?

Thanks so much

They are grammatically correct. It would be a very strange conversation, though.

[TheParser]

1. Has that girl ever had her mobile phone or backpack snatched while she was riding on her Harley?
2. Has that girl's earrings or necklace ever been snatched when she was walking in the street?

Could I use these sentences in conversations?

Thanks so much

***** A NON-TEACHER's COMMENT *****


(1) I believe that most Americans would prefer to say "walking

on the street." That is, on the sidewalk.

(2) "In the street," I feel, usually refers to actually being

in the street (where the cars are).

*****

(3) In English, there is also the phrase "The man on/in the street."

That is, the ordinary or average person. For example:

What does the man on/in the street think about the new law?

I have found that some Americans do use "in" in this case, but

-- again -- I believe that most Americans prefer "on."


Respectfully yours,

James

[Tdol]

In BrE, walking in the street sounds fine; in fact, on the street sounds to me like the part where the cars are.

[namloan]

Dear all Teachers and members!

- Is this sentence natural to say?

"Has she ever had her mobile phone, earrings and necklace snatched when was she riding on a bicycle?"

P/S: In my country it's very popular that your earrings, backpacks, necklaces or mobile phone can be snatched by thieves while you're riding on your bike or motorbike.

Thank you so much

[freezeframe]

P/S: In my country it's very popular that your earrings, backpacks, necklaces or mobile phone can be snatched by thieves while you're riding on your bike or motorbike.

You do know that Harley is not a synonym for a motorbike? Harley is a specific brand of motorcycles. There's a popular stereotype about bikers who ride Harleys. This is the type that usually doesn't get mugged on the street.

[SoothingDave]

I don't see how a backpack or earrings can be "snatched" off of someone easily.

[freezeframe]

I don't see how a backpack or earrings can be "snatched" off of someone easily.

Oh they can be. This was also common in the post-Soviet chaos in the country I come from. The way Westerners walk around with no fear of having their purse, backpack, wallet, etc. stolen at any second was a huge shock to me when I moved to Canada. In fact, people parking their vehicles on the street overnight was a huge cultural shock.

[SoothingDave]

I believe things are stolen. But if I am wearing a backpack, with the loops around both shoulders, that's pretty secure. "Snatching" to me implies a quick grab and getaway.

If someone is wrestling a backpack off of my shoulders, I would not call it a "snatch."

[freezeframe]

I believe things are stolen. But if I am wearing a backpack, with the loops around both shoulders, that's pretty secure. "Snatching" to me implies a quick grab and getaway.

If someone is wrestling a backpack off of my shoulders, I would not call it a "snatch."

Yes, it can be snatched. That's a cultural, not a linguistic difference.