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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 18:26. 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 important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.


  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
    shannico's Avatar
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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
    5jj's Avatar
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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 important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.


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