1
   

Are sentences correct?

 
 
Reply Mon 24 Sep, 2007 03:09 am
When I saw the job advertisement, it was already too late to apply for it.

This is the pen that I used to write with

Is the first sentence correct?

I believe 'with' is required in the second sentence. Am I correct?

Thanks.
  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Discussion • Score: 1 • Views: 313 • Replies: 2
No top replies

 
contrex
 
  1  
Reply Mon 24 Sep, 2007 07:07 am
Properly speaking, "it" in your first sentence refers to the advertisement, not the job. Although all native speakers will understand what is meant, it might be better to replace "it" with "the vacancy" or a similar phrase.

Regarding your second sentence, I wish to clarify your employment of the phrase "used to". There is some ambiguity here!

Does the sentence mean

(a) This is the pen with which I was previously accustomed to write.

- or -

(b) This is the pen with which I wrote.

In either case the "with" is required. You write a letter, a note, a symphony, a novel, a cheque. You do not write a pen! However, people may tell you (wrongly, since the preposition has an object) that it is "wrong" to end a sentence with a preposition, and to please them you might be prudent to recast the sentence as at (a) or (b) above.
0 Replies
 
Yoong Liat
 
  1  
Reply Mon 24 Sep, 2007 09:26 am
Thanks, Contrex, for your invaluable guidance.

Regards.
0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

deal - Question by WBYeats
Let pupils abandon spelling rules, says academic - Discussion by Robert Gentel
Please, I need help. - Question by imsak
Is this sentence grammatically correct? - Question by Sydney-Strock
"come from" - Question by mcook
concentrated - Question by WBYeats
 
  1. Forums
  2. » Are sentences correct?
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.03 seconds on 09/29/2024 at 08:31:45