Lost his foot to an infection

[Bassim]

Is it correct to say "lost his foot to an infection"?

When Ben was twelve years old, he lost his right foot to an infection.

 

[Tarheel]

Yes, you can say that.

(I wouldn't use a comma where you did, but I have a limited supply and must use mine sparingly. ;-) )

 

[teechar]

I would use a comma to delineate the two (dependent and independent) clauses in that sentence.

If possible, say a bit more about the infection. Although some species of bacteria are very dangerous, and some have become resistant to antibiotics, a mere infection is unlikely to cause the loss of a foot.

 

[Tarheel]

Maybe the infection had gotten so bad that his foot had to be amputated.

(I hate it when that happens.)

 

[teechar]

That's certainly possible. He may have had a compromised immune system or perhaps had gangrene or complications from diabetes. However, my comment still stands.

 

[Bassim]

I just want to say that I posted the above sentence to see if I have used the preposition correctly, because I was in doubt whether to use the preposition "to" or from", but of course, I could have added the reason why the infection of his foot led to an amputation.