[Grammar] Is this sentence correct without the verbs ?

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Joe333

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Sentence: "I asked a question to him which was bit uncomfortable"

Is the above sentence correct without the verbs (has, had, have) between "I__asked..." ?

Thanks
 

mmasny

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It's almost correct. Yes, you can use 'asked' without 'have, had', that's true. It's the past simple tense. But it should read:
either
- I asked him a question which was a bit uncomfortable
or
- I asked a question, which was a bit uncomfortable to him.

I am not a teacher
 

bhaisahab

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It's almost correct. Yes, you can use 'asked' without 'have, had', that's true. It's the past simple tense. But it should read:
either
- I asked him a question which was a bit uncomfortable
or
- I asked a question, which was a bit uncomfortable to him.

I am not a teacher
"uncomfortable for him" is better.
 

Joe333

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"uncomfortable for him" is better.


Thanks you for your reply sir :) but please also see the reply of this senior member, who has good ratings apparently because of his grasp over English, who is saying my sentence is wrong altogether. Is this sentence correct without the verbs ? Can you confirm my sentence is wrong or right, I'm bit confused, what is wrong in saying "I asked a question to him" ?
 
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mmasny

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Waiting for the teacher's reply, I can tell you what I think about it. When I saw your post I thought it was completely wrong (as the guy that posted on the other forum said). I don't hear 'ask a question to sb.' often. That's why I corrected your sentences. And still, I think I was right (except for what bhaisahab pointed out).
But I found something that surprised me - the number of google hits for this phrase:
"ask a question to him" - Google Search
Over one million hits is something that should be taken into account I believe.
 

Barb_D

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I find those hits puzzling.

I would never say "I asked a question to him."

For the record, I thought your original sentence meant that the process of asking him the question was uncomfortable for YOU. I didn't realize that you meant the question would cause discomfort to the person asked.
 

Joe333

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...But I found something that surprised me - the number of google hits for this phrase:
"ask a question to him" - Google Search
Over one million hits is something that should be taken into account I believe.

That's also my point and that's why I'm bit uncertain it's used by so many people even by book authors. I'm interested in knowing the "reason" why it's wrong and why so many people are using it.

Thanks. Waiting for teacher's reply.
 

bhaisahab

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That's also my point and that's why I'm bit uncertain it's used by so many people even by book authors. I'm interested in knowing the "reason" why it's wrong and why so many people are using it.

Thanks. Waiting for teacher's reply.
I agree with mmasny, Barb and the person from the other forum.
To "ask a question to" someone is not good English, it is unlikely to be used by a native speaker. Rather than say "I asked a question to him" we would say "I asked him a question".
 

Joe333

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I agree with mmasny, Barb and the person from the other forum.
To "ask a question to" someone is not good English, it is unlikely to be used by a native speaker. Rather than say "I asked a question to him" we would say "I asked him a question".

Thanks for reply again. :)
 
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