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Thread: are these options correct?

  1. #1
    allthewayanime is offline Member
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    Default are these options correct?

    I would like to know if the following options are correct:

    The best way to learn a language is to speak /by speaking/speaking/speak it.

  2. #2
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    JohnParis is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: are these options correct?

    The best way to learn a language is to speak the language.
    The best way to learn a language is to speak it.

    The best way to learn a language is by speaking the language.
    The best way to learn a language is by speaking it.

    The two sentences ending with "the language" are grammatical, but they are also awkward and stilted. The other two ending in "it" are - strictly speaking - not grammatical because they end with a preposition. The "rule" about ending a sentence with a preposition is fast becoming obsolete and I have no problem with the sentences above.

  3. #3
    allthewayanime is offline Member
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    Default Re: are these options correct?

    In a sentence like this, would both options be correct:

    All I want to do for Christmas is (to) go skiing.

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    Default Re: are these options correct?

    The two sentences ending with "the language" are grammatical, but they are also awkward and stilted. The other two ending in "it" are - strictly speaking - not grammatical because they end with a preposition. The "rule" about ending a sentence with a preposition is fast becoming obsolete and I have no problem with the sentences above.
    Excuse me John, did you mean pronoun instead of preposition? It is normally regarded as an object or a subject pronoun.
    Last edited by 5jj; 27-Jan-2012 at 17:26. Reason: format tidying.

  5. #5
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    5jj
    5jj is offline Moderator
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    Default Re: are these options correct?

    Yes, shannico, John made a rare slip there. 'It' is indeed a pronoun, and the sentences with it are fine.
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    Context is always important; labelling is rarely important.


  6. #6
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    Default Re: are these options correct?

    My apologies shannico, and to everyone else.
    You are absolutely correct - I was wrong.
    "It" is, indeed, a pronoun.
    TGIF
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  7. #7
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    Default Re: are these options correct?

    I make plenty of slips. I hope you didn't mind me correcting you...
    All the best.
    Shan
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  8. #8
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    Default Re: are these options correct?

    Quote Originally Posted by shannico View Post
    I make plenty of slips. I hope you didn't mind me correcting you...
    Anyone who posts in this forum, whatever their 'rank' does so in the knowledge that others can question/correct their answers; that is one of the great things about it.
    emsr2d2 likes this.
    Context is always important; labelling is rarely important.


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