[Grammar] Is 'An unassailable 2-0 lead gave~' a wrong sentence?

[early bird]

:?lease help me!
I make a sentence like this:
An unassailable 2-0 lead gave South Africa the victory.
[FONT=굴림]But my friend corrected: "The victory gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead.[/FONT]

[FONT=굴림]Why Is my sentence wrong? I think mine makes a sense.:shock:[/FONT]

[FONT=굴림]I'll appreciate if you explain the reason. Thanks a lot.[/FONT]

 

[5jj]

Your version is fine. Your friend's is not.

 

[Barb_D]

Well, actually, it's hard to say.

Are you referring to their record, 2-0, meaning two wins and no losses? If so, the victory gave them a 2-0 lead (in their division, or whatever).

Are you referring to the score, 2 runs or scores or goals or whatever the sport is, to no points by the other team, so that their score of 2-0 gave them a victory?

We need to know that to understand whether your original was right.

 

[billmcd]

:?lease help me!
I make a sentence like this:
An unassailable 2-0 lead gave South Africa the victory.
[FONT=굴림]But my friend corrected: "The victory gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 (lead?).[/FONT]

[FONT=굴림]Why Is my sentence wrong? I think mine makes a sense.:shock:[/FONT]

[FONT=굴림]I'll appreciate if you explain the reason. Thanks a lot.[/FONT]

Your version seems to refer to an individual contest, because we (AmE) don't usually or ever refer to a league championship as a victory. So, if you were referring to an individual contest your version is correct as 'fivejedjon' posted. But, if your friend's response is as posted, he/she is referring to a different subject ("victory") and you are referring to a "lead". So, if that is true, that is, a reference to two different subjects you and your friend are both correct.

 

[5jj]

Your version seems to refer to an individual contest, because we (AmE) don't usually or ever refer to a league championship as a victory. So, if you were referring to an individual contest your version is correct as 'fivejedjon' posted. But, if your friend's response is as posted, he/she is referring to a different subject ("victory") and you are referring to a "lead". So, if that is true, that is, a reference to two different subjects you and your friend are both correct.

I hear what you are saying, [FONT=굴림] as people say these days :-( , but I still feel that the friend's version is unacceptable as it stands:

The victory gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0.[/FONT]

 

[BobK]

:up: It seems to invite more:

The victory gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series,(for example).

b

 

[early bird]

Thanks for your reply. It helps me.
Actually my question is about arranging word order; orginally[South Africa, the victory, gave, an unassailable 2-0 lead].
According to you, should the question be added 'in the series'?
Please reply one more.

 

[early bird]

Thanks to billmcd, but I have one more question after reading your answer':
because we (AmE) don't usually or ever refer to a league championship as a victory
What do you refer a victory as, if so?
I will appreciate if you answer to the question.

 

[BobK]

Thanks for your reply. It helps me.
Actually my question is about arranging word order; orginally[South Africa, the victory, gave, an unassailable 2-0 lead].
According to you, should the question be added 'in the series'?
Please reply one more.

Yes - if there was a series, that would make sense. For example in a series of 3 matches, a team that wins the first 2 has 'an unassailable lead'. This could be reported as 'The second win, which means the score in the series is 2-0, gave them an unassailable lead.' Note that it is the victory that gives them the lead, not the score. The score consitutes an unassailable lead. 'The victory gave them a lead' is not just a fancy way of saying 'They won' ;-)

b

 

[early bird]

Thanks a lot, Bobk.

I rerally really appreciate your help!!!!!^^

 

[billmcd]

I hear what you are saying, [FONT=굴림]as people say these days :-( , but I still feel that the friend's version is unacceptable as it stands:

The victory gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0.[/FONT]

As it stands, yes, but I added "(lead?)" to the original post.