sentence formation

[vscid]

correct sentence usage:

consider this sentence:

"....The Oranges say they have filed a case with the International Criminal Court accusing the government of crimes against humanity for shooting dead dozens of protesters"

and also this:
"....The Oranges say they have filed a case with the International Criminal Court accusing the government of crimes against humanity for shooting dozens of protesters dead "

which is correct and why?

[cclaff]

correct sentence usage:

consider this sentence:

"....The Oranges say they have filed a case with the International Criminal Court accusing the government of crimes against humanity for shooting dead dozens of protesters"

and also this:
"....The Oranges say they have filed a case with the International Criminal Court accusing the government of crimes against humanity for shooting dozens of protesters dead "

which is correct and why?

Although unlikely, the first version could be interepreted as "shooting dozens of dead protesters."
Preferable would be "fatally shooting dozens of protesters, which emphasizes the adverbial position of "dead."

[susiedqq]

Yes, I agree. #2 is better.

However, I have seen "shooting dead" used to clarify that the victims were not shot and wounded, but shot and then the victims died (shot dead or shot to death).