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Wed 25 Sep, 2013 01:25 am
Hi Guys,
I have the following dilemma, could you let me know which version is correct:
Sometimes I wonder, how far the station is from here
or
Sometimes I wonder, how far is the station from here
Thanks,
Cheers
@pvsdp,
The diff, Pv, is very subtle but doubtless one of our a2k techs will respond most adequately
Meanwhile the first is probably more nearly collo, in which I'd omit the comma
In the second however the comma is needed
I would consider the desired answer: "X is N kilometres from here", and phrase the question "I wonder how far X is from here".
@pvsdp,
We'd usually say,
How far is the station? It's implied that you're starting from here otherwise you'd say somewhere else, like How far is the station from the post office?
@JTT,
JTT wrote:
Quote:
I have the following dilemma, could you let me know which version is correct:
Sometimes I wonder, how far the station is from here
or
Sometimes I wonder, how far is the station from here
Both are correct.
My view is that the first is correct.
The first is a statement, the second a question. The lack of a question mark leads me to thinking that the first is correct.
Just my opinion, of course. I wouldn't like to spend the next two weeks splitting hairs.
@Lordyaswas,
Quote:My view is that the first is correct.
Duly noted, Lordy.
Quote:The first is a statement, the second a question. The lack of a question mark leads me to thinking that the first is correct.
"correct/incorrect" is a highly misleading term to use. You haven't determined the register it is being used in.
There was also no period. It's clear that ENLs [English native language] can use either. There's nothing stopping us from pausing and choosing another form. We do this all the time in speech.
Quote:Just my opinion, of course.
Duly noted.
@izzythepush,
Quote:We'd usually say, How far is the station?
Good point Izzy, well put
@izzythepush,
Quote:We'd usually say, How far is the station?
That is not what the OP has under consideration, Izzy. The title should have given you a pretty fair clue.
You do have to consider that in life there is a lot of nuance that people want to express. That's why we have many language choices.
@izzythepush,
Wonderful explanation of the position you took on the language issues, Izzy. Do keep up the good work, young feller.
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