navi tasan
Key Member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2002
- Member Type
- Academic
- Native Language
- Persian
- Home Country
- Iran
- Current Location
- United States
1) This is the tool I found here regarding which I don't know what it is used for. That other one is a tool I found here regarding which I know what it is used for.
2) This is the tool I found here that I don't know what it is used for. That other one is a tool I found here that I know what it is used for.
3) This is the tool I found here and I don't know what it is used for. That other one is a tool I found here and I know what it is used for.
Which are grammatically correct?
Which can be used in informal conversation?
These sentences are very complex and are at best clunky in English. In my native languages, the idea can be expressed straightforwardly with sentences that resemble those in #2. The resumptive pronoun is not considered incorrect in those languages.
I think #1 is logical and might be grammatical. I think it can be understood, but I doubt anyone would use it.
It seems to me that #2 is technically incorrect, but I think that structure is used in speech ('the thing that I don't know what it is").
I think #3 doesn't really say what it is supposed to. One could say: "This is the tool I found here, and I don't know what it is used for.' but the last part is not part of the defining clause. However, it is meant to be. It is defining the tool. It is there to contrast it with the other tool, which is familiar to me. Again. I am not sure people wouldn't use things like #3.
Do you find #1 acceptable?
Do you think #2 and/or #3 are acceptable in informal English?
2) This is the tool I found here that I don't know what it is used for. That other one is a tool I found here that I know what it is used for.
3) This is the tool I found here and I don't know what it is used for. That other one is a tool I found here and I know what it is used for.
Which are grammatically correct?
Which can be used in informal conversation?
These sentences are very complex and are at best clunky in English. In my native languages, the idea can be expressed straightforwardly with sentences that resemble those in #2. The resumptive pronoun is not considered incorrect in those languages.
I think #1 is logical and might be grammatical. I think it can be understood, but I doubt anyone would use it.
It seems to me that #2 is technically incorrect, but I think that structure is used in speech ('the thing that I don't know what it is").
I think #3 doesn't really say what it is supposed to. One could say: "This is the tool I found here, and I don't know what it is used for.' but the last part is not part of the defining clause. However, it is meant to be. It is defining the tool. It is there to contrast it with the other tool, which is familiar to me. Again. I am not sure people wouldn't use things like #3.
Do you find #1 acceptable?
Do you think #2 and/or #3 are acceptable in informal English?
