[Grammar] During the boxing match, Bobby punched an opponent swinging wildly.

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nininaz

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Hello,
According to the following sentence, which of the following relative clause could be suitable?!

During the boxing match, Bobby punched an opponent swinging wildly.

"During the boxing match, Bobby punched an opponent which is swinging wildly "
or
"During the boxing match, Bobby punched an opponent which was swinging wildly "
or
"During the boxing match, Bobby punched an opponent which swings wildly "
or
"During the boxing match, Bobby punched an opponent which swung wildly "

It is confusing because all of the mentioned forms can be replaced by "swinging".

Thanks so much.

 
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nininaz

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If I have to choose, I will choose this,
During the boxing match, Bobby punched an opponent which was swinging wildly
Thanks for your reply.
But why?!
And why not ""During the boxing match, Bobby punched an opponent which swung wildly " ?
 

tzfujimino

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It is highly likely that the 'opponent' is a person and therefore it should be either '... the opponent who was swinging wildly' or '... the opponent that was swinging wildly', in my opinion. I wouldn't use 'which'. The past progressive/continuous is appropriate because the 'opponent' was obviously right in the middle of 'swinging wildly' when Bobby punched him/her.
:)

(Edit) I'd use the definite article - 'the opponent'.
 

nininaz

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It is highly likely that the 'opponent' is a person and therefore it should be either '... the opponent who was swinging wildly' or '... the opponent that was swinging wildly', in my opinion. I wouldn't use 'which'. The past progressive/continuous is appropriate because the 'opponent' was obviously right in the middle of 'swinging wildly' when Bobby punched him/her.
:)

(Edit) I'd use the definite article - 'the opponent'.

Thanks so much.
Uuuumm, What does "swinging wildly'" mean ?!
 

tzfujimino

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What do you think it might be?:)
 

tzfujimino

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What does your dictionary say about 'swing'?
:)
 

Matthew Wai

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http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/swing_1 Definition#1 may be worth the OP's reference.
Swinging can be a way of defence.

Perhaps the following can help the OP understand her sentence.
'Bobby shot a thief running quickly.'

Not a teacher.
 
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Rover_KE

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Louiesaha, your posts are being deleted because you are continuing to ignore the following forum guideline:

You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language.

If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly in your post.

Please note, all posts are moderated by our in-house language experts, so make sure your suggestions, help, and advice house the kind of information an international language teacher would offer. If not, and your posts do not contribute to the topic in a positive way, they will be subject to deletion.
 

lotus888

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Try "while".

slightly edited:
During the boxing match, Bobby punched his opponent while swinging wildly.


--lotus




 

Barb_D

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If you use "while" it sounds like Bobby was swinging wildly.

In a match, there is one person boxing one person.
Bobby punched his opponent, who was swinging wildly.
Bobby punched his wildly swinging opponent.
 
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