A huge rock is rolling down a mountain.

[neb090]

1. A huge rock is rolling down a mountain.

2. A huge rock is rolling down from a mountain.

Which one is correct?

 

[Tarheel]

What does the second sentence say that that the first one doesn't?

 

[neb090]

What does the second sentence say that that the first one doesn't?

Do you mean by adding "from", it implies additional information?

 

[jutfrank]

We answered this in the other thread. They're both grammatical but mean different things. I think you want the version without 'from'.

 

[dunchee]

Do you mean by adding "down", it implies additional information?

1. A huge rock is rolling down a mountain.

In this sentence, "down" is a preposition.

Down Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

DOWN meaning: 1 : from a higher to a lower place or position; 2 : in a low position or place

www.britannica.com

3 down /ˈdaʊn/ preposition
1 : from a higher to a lower part of (something)

• Sweat dripped down her neck.
• The children ran down the hill.
• She fell down the stairs.
• He climbed down the ladder.
  ...
  ...

 

[jutfrank]

I can only imagine that neb090 was referring to the extra meaning conveyed by 'from', not 'down'.

 

[Tarheel]

Do you mean by adding "down", it implies additional information?

No. You added "from" in the second sentence. I don't what additional information that provides (if any). That's why I asked the question.

 

[neb090]

I can only imagine that neb090 was referring to the extra meaning conveyed by 'from', not 'down'.

Yes, it's a typo. What I want to know is what's the difference between having from and not having from?

 

[Tarheel]

Yes, it's a typo. What I want to know is what's the difference between having from and not having from?

That's what I want to know too.

 

[jutfrank]

If you use 'from', it means the mountain is the origin of the rock. It means that the mountain is the place where the rock started rolling. The implication is that it is not on the mountain.

If you don't use 'from', it means that the rock is moving along the mountainside. It is going from a high place on the mountain to a lower place on the mountain. It means that the rock is on the mountain.

 

[neb090]

If you use 'from', it means the mountain is the origin of the rock. It means that the mountain is the place where the rock started rolling. The implication is that it is not on the mountain.

hi, jufrank

If the mountain is the place where the rock started rolling, how can the rock is not on the mountain?

If you don't use 'from', it means that the rock is moving along the mountainside. It is going from a high place on the mountain to a lower place on the mountain. It means that the rock is on the mountain.

 

[jutfrank]

If the mountain is the place where the rock started rolling, how can the rock is not on the mountain?

Because the rock rolled all the way to the bottom of the mountain and then continued rolling.

 

[neb090]

Because the rock rolled all the way to the bottom of the mountain and then continued rolling.

Do you mean the rock is "at" the bottom of the mountain, not "on" the top of the mountain?

 

[Tarheel]

hi, jufrank

If the mountain is the place where the rock started rolling, how can the rock NOT BE on the mountain?

Normally it would stay on the mountain. Indeed, you would expect that a rock might fall all the way to the bottom of the mountain, but that's it. (Gravity can only do so much.)

 

[jutfrank]

Do you mean the rock is "at" the bottom of the mountain, not "on" the top of the mountain?

No and no. I mean the rock is below the bottom line of the mountain.

Look, if this is confusing you, just delete the word 'from' from the sentence. Where did you get this sentence from, anyway? From the Sanmin book?

 

[neb090]

No and no. I mean the rock is below the bottom line of the mountain.

Look, if this is confusing you, just delete the word 'from' from the sentence. Where did you get this sentence from, anyway? From the Sanmin book?

No. It's just my (wrong) intuition.

So, is there any situation in which "down" and "from" can be used together?

How about "The thief is climbing down from the third floor window."

 

[jutfrank]

How about "The thief is climbing down from the third floor window."

Yes, very good. The meaning is that the window is where the thief originated. He isn't at the window any more—he's at a level lower than the window.

 

[neb090]

Yes, very good. The meaning is that the window is where the thief originated. He isn't at the window any more—he's at a level lower than the window.

If I say "The thief is climbing down the third floor window", does it mean the thief is still at the third floor window?

 

[jutfrank]

Yes. We have to imagine a huge window, where he starts at the top of the window and he works his way to the bottom of the window. The sentence describes his position of being somewhere between the top and bottom of the window.

 

[neb090]

Yes. We have to imagine a huge window, where he starts at the top of the window and he works his way to the bottom of the window. The sentence describes his position of being somewhere between the top and bottom of the window.

Thank you jutfrank. I got it. You really help me a lot.