two combinations of the noun "stroke"

[JACEK1]

Hello

Does the sentence "She gave the dog's head a stroke" mean the same as "She gave the dog a stroke on the head"?

I do not know and so it is better to check with you.

What is your opinion?

Thank you.

By stroke I mean the act of moving one's hand gently over the dog's fluffy head. This time it is a noun.

 

[GoesStation]

The sentences are equivalent.

 

[Rover_KE]

I don't think they're natural in any variety of English.

 

[Tdol]

She stroked the dog's head works better for me.

 

[JACEK1]

I am sorry to be replying so late.

Are there any other ways of expressing the same thought using the word "stroke", be it a noun or a verb?

 

[JACEK1]

Not exactly, but the meaning could be retained. The meaning of the word "stroke" (gently move one's hand over something) could also remain.

 

[JACEK1]

So you tend to use "stroke someone or something" instead of "stroke someone on (the head)", for instance, don't you?

 

[GoesStation]

So you tend to use "stroke someone or something" instead of "stroke someone on (the head)", for instance, don't you?

Yes.

 

[Barb_D]

These questions make it even more clear how complex English is.

There's nothing wrong with "I gave the dog a quick pat on the head" or "He patted me on the shoulder" and yet "stroke" (which should act the same way) sounds wrong.

I guess it's more a matter of what we tend to do - there are no rules that say it's ungrammatical. We just all agree it's unnatural.

 

[tedmc]

I think, stroking, being an endearing action, is usually repeated. Thus, it sounds odd to say that someone is given a stroke(on a part of the body).

 

[emsr2d2]

I think (no comma here) stroking, being an endearing action, is usually repeated. Thus, it sounds odd to say that someone is given a stroke space before opening bracket (on a part of the body).

Even so, that's what you'll hear.

"Go on, give the cute dog a stroke."

We're not actually suggesting just one single stroke.