English Language Discussion Forums


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher

Quick Links
Sites for Teachers



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-Jun-2008, 08:30
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Country: China
Posts: 4
Current Location: BEIJING
First Language: Chinese
Member Type: Student or Learner
xh4n is an unknown quantity at this point
Default a bit difficult understands sentence maybe about clause need help

When I study a IETLS writing sample I've read a confused sentence in my English level.
Although I can understand the all words the sentence include, but I can understand its meaning completely.

This sentencen is :
"Those who feel that sports starts salaries are juesified might argue that the number of professionals with real talent are very few, and the money is a recognition of the skills and dedication a person needs to be successful"

The sentence I put color blue I didn't clear its grammar rule. Is "a person needs to be successful" a object clause? I mean it is modifier of "dedication" ? If it is I can't get any logical meaning form it.

I hope someone can help me in which explainning the grammar rule of it.
Please answer this question as detailed as possiable.

Thanks for you view this post and your answer if there are.

Last edited by xh4n; 01-Jun-2008 at 08:32. Reason: missing some words
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2  
Old 01-Jun-2008, 08:33
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Country: UK
Posts: 5,429
Current Location: UK
First Language: British English
Member Type: Other
David L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: a bit difficult understands sentence maybe about clause need help

Is it clearer this way? :

...of the skills and of the dedication that a person needs in order to be successful.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to David L. For This Useful Post:
  #3  
Old 01-Jun-2008, 08:52
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Country: China
Posts: 4
Current Location: BEIJING
First Language: Chinese
Member Type: Student or Learner
xh4n is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: a bit difficult understands sentence maybe about clause need help

I got little more understand, but I still have a bit confusion. maybe my problem is not clearly understand the be.
Anyway thank you quick reply.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-Jun-2008, 10:39
Soup's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Country: Canada
Posts: 5,545
Current Location: Shanghai, China
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Soup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: a bit difficult understands sentence maybe about clause need help

Those who feel that sports stars' salaries are justified might argue that the number of professionals with real talent are very few,

and,

[they might also argue that] the money [the sports stars make] is a recognition of the skills and dedication [that] a person needs [in order] to be successful.
The compound phrase skills and dedication is modified by a person needs to be successful. In other words,
... a person needs skills and dedication in order to be successful.
... skills and dedication that a person needs in order to be successful.

skill and dedication is what a person needs in order to be successful.
Note, to is short for in order to, as David points out. Note also, successful is an adjective which is why it take be.
in order to / be successful

... skills and dedication that a person needs in order to be successful.
... a person needs skills and dedication in order to be successful.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Soup For This Useful Post:
  #5  
Old 02-Jun-2008, 01:50
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Country: China
Posts: 4
Current Location: BEIJING
First Language: Chinese
Member Type: Student or Learner
xh4n is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: a bit difficult understands sentence maybe about clause need help

Your answer is excellent and careful, it is more clear and detailed. I've got some grammar knowledge from it and I now understand the whole sentence.
I have know the reason of my confusion is that I didn't completely know that the using of to and be.

Much thanks yours.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-Jun-2008, 02:10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Country: malaysia
Posts: 965
Current Location: malaysia
First Language: chinese
Member Type: Student or Learner
tedtmc is just really nicetedtmc is just really nicetedtmc is just really nicetedtmc is just really nice
Default Re: a bit difficult understands sentence maybe about clause need help

not a teacher

Quote:
[they might also argue that] the money [the sports stars make] is a recognition of the skills and dedication [that] a person needs [in order] to be successful.
I would prefer the word 'has' or 'possesses'.
Money is rewarded to a person who has the skills and dedication.

not

Money is rewarded to a person who needs the skills and dedication.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-Jun-2008, 03:08
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Country: China
Posts: 4
Current Location: BEIJING
First Language: Chinese
Member Type: Student or Learner
xh4n is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: a bit difficult understands sentence maybe about clause need help

I think perhaps your misunderstand the sentence or I misunderstand your post. In the sentence "a person needs" is a noun.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-Jun-2008, 03:27
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Country: malaysia
Posts: 965
Current Location: malaysia
First Language: chinese
Member Type: Student or Learner
tedtmc is just really nicetedtmc is just really nicetedtmc is just really nicetedtmc is just really nice
Default Re: a bit difficult understands sentence maybe about clause need help

Quote:
In the sentence "a person needs" is a noun.
I don't understand your sentence.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-Jun-2008, 04:45
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Country: UK
Posts: 5,429
Current Location: UK
First Language: British English
Member Type: Other
David L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond reputeDavid L. has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: a bit difficult understands sentence maybe about clause need help

What the person needs/has to have/must possess..........if he is to succeed.
'needs' is milder than 'has to have' and much milder than 'must have/possess'
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-Jun-2008, 11:24
Soup's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Country: Canada
Posts: 5,545
Current Location: Shanghai, China
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Soup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: a bit difficult understands sentence maybe about clause need help

Quote:
Originally Posted by tedtmc View Post
I would prefer the word 'has' or 'possesses'. Money is rewarded to a person who has the skills and dedication.

not

Money is rewarded to a person who needs the skills and dedication.
Needs is another way of saying requires; e.g., a person needs/requires certain things to be successful.


xh4n, the phrase a person needs is not a noun:
a person [noun phrase]
needs [verb]
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Soup For This Useful Post:
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
enough. a difficult sentence. sara88 Ask a Teacher 4 17-Sep-2007 09:30
What is the difference between sentence and clause Mad-ox Ask a Teacher 1 07-Jul-2007 10:16
Simple/Compound sentence, Relative clause Unregistered Ask a Teacher 7 05-Jun-2007 04:14
It is difficult that clause siruss Ask a Teacher 9 16-Mar-2007 17:24
How many sentence structure there ? callonghouse Ask a Teacher 1 29-Aug-2006 16:43


All times are GMT. The time now is 03:03.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.3.0
Copyright © 2002 - 2009 UsingEnglish.com