View Poll Results: Is the second "in" in the example sentence optional?
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Yes
3 42.86% -
No
4 57.14%
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- 22-Nov-2007, 19:45 #1
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Our problem lies not in what to do but in how to do it. Is the second "in" in the example sentence optional?
- 24-Nov-2007, 12:45 #2
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Teacher Re: Our problem lies not in what to do but in how to do it. I`d say it`s rather necessary than optional.
Our problem lies not in what to do but in how to do it.
Our problem lies in...but not in....
I might be wrong, but I think that the preposition in is necessary here.
Lie is an intransitive verb whose meaning is to consist or have as a basis and it is often used with the preposition in:
The strength of his performance lies in his training.
lie - Definitions from Dictionary.com
- 24-Nov-2007, 13:35 #3
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Threadstarter / Original Poster Re: Our problem lies not in what to do but in how to do it. Thank you.
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