before Joe can clear up the situation

angliholic · #1 01-Dec-2007, 01:13

JOe and Jen give Nathan his cake, but they leave before Joe can clear up the situation.

Is it possible to replace "clear up the situation" with "explain (away) the situation" without making a change in meaning? Thanks.

baqarah131 · #2 01-Dec-2007, 01:38

I don't like "clear up the situtation."
It seems odd that the sentence is in the simple present tense.
It's not clear who "they" refers to.
Best would be "...before Joe can explain."
or, in the past,
"before Joe could explain."

regards
edward

angliholic · #3 01-Dec-2007, 02:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by baqarah131

I don't like "clear up the situtation."
It seems odd that the sentence is in the simple present tense.
It's not clear who "they" refers to.
Best would be "...before Joe can explain."
or, in the past,
"before Joe could explain."

regards
edward

Thanks, baqarah.
Just to make, do I have to say "before Joe could explain (away) the situation?"

baqarah131 · #4 01-Dec-2007, 13:28

No, I'd just say "before Joe could explain." You don't need "away" or "situation."

angliholic · #5 01-Dec-2007, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by baqarah131

No, I'd just say "before Joe could explain." You don't need "away" or "situation."

Thanks, baqarah.

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