I say to my friends: Yesterday I talked to these people on the streets and the reac

[B45]

I say to my friends:

Yesterday I talked to these people on the streets and the reaction I got wasn't good.

Does this make sense? Should I add from them after I got, or is that unnecessary?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Well, without "from them", it could be ambiguous. The reaction could have been from other people.

 

[B45]

So, it's better to add from them? But isn't it already clear who I'm talking to so the reaction would be from them?

 

[MikeNewYork]

In one context, it is very clear. But as I said, there could be another context.

 

[B45]

What do you mean by that? I don't really understand. Can you explain. Thank you.

The reaction was only from the people I spoke to randomly.

Would you include from them?

 

[MikeNewYork]

If the only reaction you got was from those people, then "from them" is not not needed.

 

[B45]

I'm sorry but there's an error in the sentence. It's supposed to be:

Yesterday I talked to some people on the streets and the reaction I got was not good.

 

[MikeNewYork]

No problem. It should also probably be on the "street" unless the people were in different places.

 

[B45]

That wouldn't change your answer then. So, from them is basically not needed. correct?

 

[MikeNewYork]

What would have changed my answer is some context at the beginning. Please provide it in the future. That would decrease the waste of time.

 

[emsr2d2]

If you talk to some people on the street, you might get a reaction from those people but you also might get a reaction from other people passing by who see you talking to those people. That is the ambiguity Mike was referring to.

I walked up to a woman in a crowded pub and punched her in the face. The reaction I got was amazing.

Who do you think gave the reaction I'm referring to in that situation? Do you think it's the reaction from the woman I punched or do you think it might be the reaction from the other people in the crowded pub? Do you agree that it's ambiguous?

 

[B45]

Yes, I agree it's ambiguous. Therefore, I think I should add from them to the sentence. Because the reaction I got was from the strangers I talked to. What do you think?

 

[emsr2d2]

I agree with you. In your original, I would use "from them".

 

[MikeNewYork]

Finally sorted! :-D