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Wed Jan 24, 2007 13:17 pm Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.' |
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Hi Tom, Just my two cents.
Ex. I am denied a sandwich by him.
Seems normal to me. But l like this variant better:
Ex.He denied me a sandwich |
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Pamela I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1231 Location: RF
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Wed Jan 24, 2007 13:28 pm Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.' |
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Hi Tom,
Both seem quite unnatural to me. Why use the passive if you don't need to?
A _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a flat hunter |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 7140 Location: UK
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Tom I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 1976
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Wed Jan 24, 2007 14:18 pm Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.' |
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Hi Tom
Just some comments:
I agree with Alan that both of your sentences sound quite unnatural. There is often a huge a difference between "structurally correct" and "natural".
In the link you gave you'll notice that the poster asked only about structural correctness. However, there is also a difference between using the simple present tense in those sentences (reference to peace) and in your sentences (reference to a sandwich). Your sentences would sound better in the past tense (for example).
Amy |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 7248 Location: New England
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Wed Jan 24, 2007 17:40 pm Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.' |
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Amy and Alan are right, IMO.
And I like Pamela's version:
He denied me a sandwich. _________________ Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee. |
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prezbucky I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 2018 Location: Nashville, TN (USA)
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Wed Jan 24, 2007 20:53 pm Expression: 'I am denied a sandwich by him' |
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Yes, Pamela's version is much more natural. Pamela also changed it to the simple past tense (active).
Tom, there is nothing in your sentences (no context) that justifies using the simple present tense (active or passive). Using the simple present tense makes your sentences sound doubly unnatural. |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 7248 Location: New England
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| meaning of "break it down" | A good sample sentence with the verb 'abash'? |