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Expression: 'I am denied a sandwich by him'



 
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meaning of "break it down" | A good sample sentence with the verb 'abash'?
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Expression: 'I am denied a sandwich by him' #1 (permalink) Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:01 pm   Expression: 'I am denied a sandwich by him'
 

Hi

I am sure that sometime ago I saw sentence(s) like this. But where? Memory refuses to serve me! :shock:

Are the following sentences correct and natural?

1- A sandwich is denied me by him.
2- I am denied a sandwich by him.

Tom
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Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.' #2 (permalink) Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:17 pm   Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.'
 

Hi Tom,
Just my two cents.:roll:

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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Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.' #3 (permalink) Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:28 pm   Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.'
 

Hi Tom,

Both seem quite unnatural to me. Why use the passive if you don't need to?

A
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Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.' #4 (permalink) Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:49 pm   Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.'
 

Many, many thanks, Alan.

After two hours of constant effort, I submit:

http://www.englishforums.com/English/IsThisStructurallyCorrect/dnqdw/Post.htm

Tom
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Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.' #5 (permalink) Wed Jan 24, 2007 13:18 pm   Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.'
 

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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Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.' #6 (permalink) Wed Jan 24, 2007 16:40 pm   Expression : 'I am denied a sandwich by him.'
 

Amy and Alan are right, IMO.

And I like Pamela's version:

He denied me a sandwich.
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Expression: 'I am denied a sandwich by him' #7 (permalink) Wed Jan 24, 2007 19:53 pm   Expression: 'I am denied a sandwich by him'
 

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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