Was riding on a Harley

1. Has that girl ever had her mobile phone or backpack snatched while she was riding on her Harley?
2. Has that girl's earrings or necklace ever been snatched when she was walking in the street?

Could I use these sentences in conversations?

Thanks so much

namloan said:

1. Has that girl ever had her mobile phone or backpack snatched while she was riding on her Harley?
2. Have that girl's earrings or necklace ever been snatched when she was walking in the street?

Could I use these sentences in conversations?

Thanks so much

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They are grammatically correct. It would be a very strange conversation, though.

namloan said:

1. Has that girl ever had her mobile phone or backpack snatched while she was riding on her Harley?
2. Has that girl's earrings or necklace ever been snatched when she was walking in the street?

Could I use these sentences in conversations?

Thanks so much

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***** A NON-TEACHER's COMMENT *****


(1) I believe that most Americans would prefer to say "walking

on the street." That is, on the sidewalk.

(2) "In the street," I feel, usually refers to actually being

in the street (where the cars are).

*****

(3) In English, there is also the phrase "The man on/in the street."

That is, the ordinary or average person. For example:

What does the man on/in the street think about the new law?

I have found that some Americans do use "in" in this case, but

-- again -- I believe that most Americans prefer "on."


Respectfully yours,

James

In BrE, walking in the street sounds fine; in fact, on the street sounds to me like the part where the cars are. ;-)

Dear all Teachers and members!

- Is this sentence natural to say? :-D

"Has she ever had her mobile phone, earrings and necklace snatched when was she riding on a bicycle?"

P/S: In my country it's very popular that your earrings, backpacks, necklaces or mobile phone can be snatched by thieves while you're riding on your bike or motorbike.

Thank you so much

namloan said:

P/S: In my country it's very popular that your earrings, backpacks, necklaces or mobile phone can be snatched by thieves while you're riding on your bike or motorbike.

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You do know that Harley is not a synonym for a motorbike? Harley is a specific brand of motorcycles. There's a popular stereotype about bikers who ride Harleys. This is the type that usually doesn't get mugged on the street. :-D

I don't see how a backpack or earrings can be "snatched" off of someone easily.

SoothingDave said:

I don't see how a backpack or earrings can be "snatched" off of someone easily.

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Oh they can be. This was also common in the post-Soviet chaos in the country I come from. The way Westerners walk around with no fear of having their purse, backpack, wallet, etc. stolen at any second was a huge shock to me when I moved to Canada. In fact, people parking their vehicles on the street overnight was a huge cultural shock.

I believe things are stolen. But if I am wearing a backpack, with the loops around both shoulders, that's pretty secure. "Snatching" to me implies a quick grab and getaway.

If someone is wrestling a backpack off of my shoulders, I would not call it a "snatch."

SoothingDave said:

I believe things are stolen. But if I am wearing a backpack, with the loops around both shoulders, that's pretty secure. "Snatching" to me implies a quick grab and getaway.

If someone is wrestling a backpack off of my shoulders, I would not call it a "snatch."

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Yes, it can be snatched. That's a cultural, not a linguistic difference.

How do you snatch my earrings while I zip by on my motorbike, without ripping my ears out? It's really inconceivable to me that you could get both of my stud earrings if I'm driving past you at 30 mph.

"Has she ever had her mobile phone, earrings and necklace snatched when was she riding on a bicycle?"

Dear SoothingDave, freezeframe, Barb_D and other teachers,

- So how can I make my sentence above more natural? :-D

Thanks a lot

SoothingDave said:

I believe things are stolen. But if I am wearing a backpack, with the loops around both shoulders, that's pretty secure. "Snatching" to me implies a quick grab and getaway.

If someone is wrestling a backpack off of my shoulders, I would not call it a "snatch."

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It can be rough; I remember when someone died as they were dragged into the road and hit by a car as people tried to get her bag off her where I was living a few years ago.

Tdol said:

It can be rough; I remember when someone died as they were dragged into the road and hit by a car as people tried to get her bag off her where I was living a few years ago.

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***** A NON-TEACHER's COMMENT *****


(1) I shall say this in as delicate a way as possible, but I

shall understand if you delete this post.

(2) When I read your comments above, I was utterly shocked. Not

shocked by the crime itself, for the most horrible things happen daily

in almost all countries. I was shocked because I had heard that

such crimes are almost non-existent in your current location. Then

I realized that probably you were referring to a place other than

your current location. I hope that I am right, for I have this image of

your current location as an almost crime-free country. I want to keep this

beautiful image.


Respectfully yours,


James

Tdol said:

It can be rough; I remember when someone died as they were dragged into the road and hit by a car as people tried to get her bag off her where I was living a few years ago.

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I don't doubt it. The point I was making is that my opinion is that this behavior goes beyond the word "snatch." A snatch is sudden.

TheParser said:

Then

I realized that probably you were referring to a place other than

your current location. I hope that I am right, for I have this image of

your current location as an almost crime-free country.

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I was living somewhere else at the time; I didn't name it as I didn't want to be seen to be badmouthing it.

I did look up the crime statistics for the area of central Tokyo I am living in when I was here a few years ago and they were astonishingly low- two cases of pickpocketing and 14 burglaries in a year. It's a very safe city.

SoothingDave said:

I don't doubt it. The point I was making is that my opinion is that this behavior goes beyond the word "snatch." A snatch is sudden.

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I agree, but I don't know of an alternative word that is used for such robberies that go beyond simple snatching.

Tdol said:

I was living somewhere else at the time; I didn't name it as I didn't want to be seen to be badmouthing it.

I did look up the crime statistics for the area of central Tokyo I am living in when I was here a few years ago and they were astonishingly low- two cases of pickpocketing and 14 burglaries in a year. It's a very safe city.

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Yes, I had guessed that you were referring to another place.

All of us here in the United States were very impressed (and humbled)

when we read how orderly and courteous the people in your current

location behaved during the recent tragedy. There is only one word

to describe the good behavior of the people in your current

location: AWESOME!!!


Respectfully yours,


James