check this sentence out

[gonghai]

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage had trouble finding the parts to fix it.

well this sentence is correct. but to me it sounds like the garage couldn't find the parts need to fix something and not someone couldn't find the parts in fixing the garage.

 

[Red5]

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage had trouble finding the parts to fix it.

It's not a great sentence that's for sure. ;-)

What about if we added a couple of commas?

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car, because the garage had trouble, finding the parts to fix it.

It's not much better, but I think it helps.

 

[izabela]

Hi,

Who said that this sentence was correct?

Iza

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage had trouble finding the parts to fix it.

well this sentence is correct. but to me it sounds like the garage couldn't find the parts need to fix something and not someone couldn't find the parts in fixing the garage.

 

[izabela]

Hi,

I'm sorry but I don't see how this sentence is correct, even with the commas. What does "the garage had trouble" mean?

Iza

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage had trouble finding the parts to fix it.

It's not a great sentence that's for sure. ;-)

What about if we added a couple of commas?

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car, because the garage had trouble, finding the parts to fix it.

It's not much better, but I think it helps.

 

[Tdol]

It works in British English- the garage is the repair shop.;-)

 

[queenmaabd]

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage had trouble finding the parts to fix it.

well this sentence is correct. but to me it sounds like the garage couldn't find the parts need to fix something and not someone couldn't find the parts in fixing the garage.

I think it's perfect as it is.
Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage (repair service) couldn't find the parts to fix it (the car).

 

[gonghai]

Hi,

Who said that this sentence was correct?

Iza

i found this sentence in a grammer book and it says its correct but the flow of the sentence sounds ackward

 

[gonghai]

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage had trouble finding the parts to fix it.

well this sentence is correct. but to me it sounds like the garage couldn't find the parts need to fix something and not someone couldn't find the parts in fixing the garage.

I think it's perfect as it is.
Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage (repair service) couldn't find the parts to fix it (the car).

oohh i see now

thanks for the clarification

 

[gonghai]

thanks

It works in British English- the garage is the repair shop.;-)

oh i see now
thanks for the clarification

 

[Tdol]

You're welcome :lol:

 

[Casiopea]

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage had trouble finding the parts to fix it.

well this sentence is correct. but to me it sounds like the garage couldn't find the parts need to fix something and not someone couldn't find the parts in fixing the garage.

In terms of grammar, the sentence is fine. The problem you've noted has to do with semantics, specifically the semantics of the phrase 'the garage'. In this case, 'the garage' refers to the mechanics who work in the garage (i.e. the garage staff). It's OK to use the 'the garage' to refer to mechanics.

EX: The hospital is looking into it.
==> The hospital staff, the people who work at the hospital.

All the best,

 

[izabela]

I feel bad for not thinking a little longer about this sentence Now I see how it works. Good question Gonghai.

Iza

 

[gonghai]

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage had trouble finding the parts to fix it.

well this sentence is correct. but to me it sounds like the garage couldn't find the parts need to fix something and not someone couldn't find the parts in fixing the garage.

In terms of grammar, the sentence is fine. The problem you've noted has to do with semantics, specifically the semantics of the phrase 'the garage'. In this case, 'the garage' refers to the mechanics who work in the garage (i.e. the garage staff). It's OK to use the 'the garage' to refer to mechanics.

EX: The hospital is looking into it.
==> The hospital staff, the people who work at the hospital.

All the best,

thxs cas
your a great helper

 

[Casiopea]

Terry had to spend the weekend without his car because the garage had trouble finding the parts to fix it.

well this sentence is correct. but to me it sounds like the garage couldn't find the parts need to fix something and not someone couldn't find the parts in fixing the garage.

In terms of grammar, the sentence is fine. The problem you've noted has to do with semantics, specifically the semantics of the phrase 'the garage'. In this case, 'the garage' refers to the mechanics who work in the garage (i.e. the garage staff). It's OK to use the 'the garage' to refer to mechanics.

EX: The hospital is looking into it.
==> The hospital staff, the people who work at the hospital.

All the best,

thxs cas
your a great helper

You're welcome.