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Thread: Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

  1. #1
    early bird is offline Newbie
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    Thumbs up Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

    Please help me!
    I make a sentence like this:
    An unassailable 2-0 lead gave South Africa the victory.
    But my friend corrected: "The victory gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead.

    Why Is my sentence wrong? I think mine makes a sense.

    I'll appreciate if you explain the reason. Thanks a lot.
    Last edited by early bird; 19-Sep-2011 at 16:12.

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    5jj's Avatar
    5jj
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    Default Re: Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

    Your version is fine. Your friend's is not.

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    Default Re: Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

    Well, actually, it's hard to say.

    Are you referring to their record, 2-0, meaning two wins and no losses? If so, the victory gave them a 2-0 lead (in their division, or whatever).

    Are you referring to the score, 2 runs or scores or goals or whatever the sport is, to no points by the other team, so that their score of 2-0 gave them a victory?

    We need to know that to understand whether your original was right.
    I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.

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    billmcd is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

    Quote Originally Posted by early bird View Post
    Please help me!
    I make a sentence like this:
    An unassailable 2-0 lead gave South Africa the victory.
    But my friend corrected: "The victory gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 (lead?).

    Why Is my sentence wrong? I think mine makes a sense.

    I'll appreciate if you explain the reason. Thanks a lot.
    Your version seems to refer to an individual contest, because we (AmE) don't usually or ever refer to a league championship as a victory. So, if you were referring to an individual contest your version is correct as 'fivejedjon' posted. But, if your friend's response is as posted, he/she is referring to a different subject ("victory") and you are referring to a "lead". So, if that is true, that is, a reference to two different subjects you and your friend are both correct.

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    Default Re: Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

    Quote Originally Posted by billmcd View Post
    Your version seems to refer to an individual contest, because we (AmE) don't usually or ever refer to a league championship as a victory. So, if you were referring to an individual contest your version is correct as 'fivejedjon' posted. But, if your friend's response is as posted, he/she is referring to a different subject ("victory") and you are referring to a "lead". So, if that is true, that is, a reference to two different subjects you and your friend are both correct.
    I hear what you are saying, as people say these days , but I still feel that the friend's version is unacceptable as it stands:

    The victory gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0.


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    BobK's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

    It seems to invite more:

    The victory gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series,(for example).

    b

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    early bird is offline Newbie
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    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Re: Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

    Thanks for your reply. It helps me.
    Actually my question is about arranging word order; orginally[South Africa, the victory, gave, an unassailable 2-0 lead].
    According to you, should the question be added 'in the series'?
    Please reply one more.
    Last edited by early bird; 19-Sep-2011 at 16:36.

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    early bird is offline Newbie
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    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Re: Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

    Thanks to billmcd, but I have one more question after reading your answer':
    because we (AmE) don't usually or ever refer to a league championship as a victory
    What do you refer a victory as, if so?
    I will appreciate if you answer to the question.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

    Quote Originally Posted by early bird View Post
    Thanks for your reply. It helps me.
    Actually my question is about arranging word order; orginally[South Africa, the victory, gave, an unassailable 2-0 lead].
    According to you, should the question be added 'in the series'?
    Please reply one more.
    Yes - if there was a series, that would make sense. For example in a series of 3 matches, a team that wins the first 2 has 'an unassailable lead'. This could be reported as 'The second win, which means the score in the series is 2-0, gave them an unassailable lead.' Note that it is the victory that gives them the lead, not the score. The score consitutes an unassailable lead. 'The victory gave them a lead' is not just a fancy way of saying 'They won'

    b
    Last edited by BobK; 19-Sep-2011 at 16:51. Reason: Added last caveat

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    early bird is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

    Thanks a lot, Bobk.

    I rerally really appreciate your help!!!!!^^

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