All the books which he collected for his whole life were burned to ashed by a fire.

[z7655431]

All the books which he collected for his whole life were burned to ashes by a fire. (from my teacher's handout)
Is this sentence correct? First, I think "for his whole life is" wrong, and it should be "IN his whole life". Second, "by a fire" should be "IN a fire". Am I right? Thanks!

 

[GoesStation]

1. For his whole life is correct. However, the tense is wrong; the first verb should be in the past perfect.

2. Either in or by works. But it should be ashes, and the sentence could end there. What, other than a fire, could burn the book collection to ashes?

 

[z7655431]

1. For his whole life is correct. However, the tense is wrong; the first verb should be in the past perfect.

2. Either in or by works. But it should be ashes, and the sentence could end there. What, other than a fire, could burn the book collection to ashes?

So, the correct sentence is: All the books which he had collected for his whole life were burned to ashes in/by a fire. Right?
But, can I say "in his whole life" instead?

 

[Raymott]

You could. I'd say "over his entire life".

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd say "All the books he had collected during his life/lifetime ..."

 

[z7655431]

1. For his whole life is correct.
2. Either in or by works. But it should be ashes, and the sentence could end there. What, other than a fire, could burn the book collection to ashes?

1. Do you really say "for his whole life" in English? Can I say "IN his whole life"?
2. "were burned to ashes in/by a fire" Between "in" and "by", which do you prefer?
3. "All the books *which/that* he had collected for his whole life were burned to ashes in/by a fire."
I find that which seems to be incorrect here; the correct word should be that or just to omit it. Am I right?

 

[bhaisahab]

"All the books he had collected during his life/lifetime were destroyed in a fire."

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

1. Do you really say "for his whole life" in English? Can I say "IN his whole life"?

I like "in" better, but I'm not going to say "for" is wrong. It's certainly understandable, anyway.

2. "were burned to ashes in/by a fire" Between "in" and "by", which do you prefer?

In.

3. "All the books *which/that* he had collected for his whole life were burned to ashes in/by a fire."
I find that which seems to be incorrect here; the correct word should be that or just to omit it. Am I right?

In American English, it would be "that."

Just what you needed: more opinions.

 

[Roman55]

3. "All the books *which/that* he had collected for his whole life were burned to ashes in/by a fire."
I find that which seems to be incorrect here; the correct word should be that or just to omit it. Am I right?

I agree with that.