sentence structureII

[Joe]

We've been hearing a lot of chatter in cell phones lately, and although we really don't understand exactly what it is they are saying, the way they were grunting and laughing, we think they are preparing for a huge attack."

Is it grammatically OK? The blue part looks like a "separated island" in the whole sentence. Maybe we should put a "given/judging from" before the blue part.
What do your think, dear teachers?
:wink:

 

[Casiopea]

We've been hearing a lot of chatter on cell phones lately, and although we really don't understand exactly what it is they are saying, by the way they were grunting and laughing, we think they are preparing for a huge attack.

"given/judging from/by" all work.

 

[Tdol]

Just 'from'? ;-)

 

[Joe]

Thanks, Casiopea.

Tdol, what do you mean by that? Are you suggesting that it is making a big deal out of a little thing(Just because "the way they were grunting and laughing", we think they are preparing for a huge attack)?

 

[Tdol]

No, I just meant that you could just use the preposition 'from'. I'm not greatly taken with the use of the word 'grunting', and I'm far from convinced that this is a very good way of judging whether an attack is being planned. I'd get a translator in.;-)

 

[Joe]

No, I just meant that you could just use the preposition 'from'. I'm not greatly taken with the use of the word 'grunting', and I'm far from convinced that this is a very good way of judging whether an attack is being planned. I'd get a translator in.;-)

Thanks, Tdol. I now have another option, "from the way...". You think that "grunting" is not correctly used here, right? Could you tell me why it does not fit into that sentence?

The sentence is from www.thedailyfarce.com, which provides "a satirical and distorted look at current news". Maybe that is why you said it is not a good way of judging whether an attack is being planned. I kind of like that website.

 

[Tdol]

If it's satire, it's fine. If it's meant to be any more, then it's a cause for concern. I think I'll check the site out now. ;-)

 

[Tdol]

It looks interesting. :lol:

 

[Joe]

Tdol, why did you say that "I'm not greatly taken with the use of the word 'grunting'"? What is the problem with "grunting" there?
:wink:

 

[Susie Smith]

Tdol, why did you say that "I'm not greatly taken with the use of the word 'grunting'"? What is the problem with "grunting" there?
:wink:

A grunt is an unintelligible guttural sound. If it cannot be understood, how can it be interpreted as a sign of an impending attack? I think this is what Tdol meant.

:wink:

 

[Tdol]

Labelling languages you don't speak as 'grunting' is far from an objective description. ;-)

 

[Casiopea]

Labelling languages you don't speak as 'grunting' is far from an objective description. ;-)

It's OK in my book: Oxford Dictionary of Current English.

grunt, a low gutteral sound used to express discontent(ment).

 

[Joe]

Thank you, all of my teachers.

The whole story is here: http://www.thedailyfarce.com/national.cfm?story=2004\05\national_unknownattackcoming_05200400029

You may find it kind of interesting. :wink: