Is “left” redundant? Thanks.

Status
Not open for further replies.

kohyoongliat

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
English
Home Country
Malaysia
Current Location
Malaysia
He was just 4 years old when he was told that he was incurably ill and had only a few months left to live.

Is “left” redundant?

Thanks.
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
He was just 4 four years old when he was told that he was incurably terminally ill and had only a few months left to live.

Is “left” redundant?

Thanks. Unnecessary. Thank us after we help you, by adding the "Thanks" icon to any post you find useful.
Note my corrections above. We write the numbers 1 to 20 (inclusive) out in full (in words, not digits). We don't say that people are "incurably ill". Use either "terminally ill" or "his illness was incurable".
Doctors/parents probably wouldn't tell a four-year-old that they're terminally ill. It would be difficult for them to comprehend the meaning. The doctors would tell the parents that there was no more they could do for the child. The parents would then probably do their best to help the child enjoy the time they had left.

"Left" is optional in that sentence.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top