Is this grammatically correct?
"The dog was too fast for me to follow it."
"The dog was too fast for me to follow it."
The dog was too fast for me to follow it.
It's grammatically incorrect. 'It' can't be used in such sentences because here "fast" is an adjective and complement of the subject. In the grammatically correct sentence below, "fast" is an adverb, and as it doesn't describe the subject we need to include an object for 'follow'.
"The dog went too fast for me to follow it."
"The dog went too fast for me to follow it."
Irregardless of what the grammar books say, I don't think this sentence would cause too many raised eyebrows among native speakers, at least around here. Granted, it's probably not what you'd want to write in a formal document.
@upstater, ... though your "irregardless" would raise eyebrowse of many..
<<@upstater, ... though your "irregardless" would raise eyebrowse of many.. >>
I was wondering if someone was going to mention that :)
I was wondering if someone was going to mention that :)
'It' can't be used in such sentences because here "fast" is an adjective and complement of the subject.
Can you elaborate on that using examples?
Can you elaborate on that using examples?
Can you elaborate on that using examples?
What's wrong with using the examples here as an example?
*"The dog was too fast for me to follow it."
"The dog went too fast for me to follow it."
What's wrong with using the examples here as an example?
*"The dog was too fast for me to follow it."
"The dog went too fast for me to follow it."
What's wrong with using the examples here as an example?
*"The dog was too fast for me to follow it."
"The dog went too fast for me to follow it."
Personally, I try not to use 'it' too often. Because it is not always obvious what it refers too. However in practice it is very difficult to avoid using it.
In the Sixties, in a climate of sexual repression, there were a lot of references to 'it', and everybody knew what it was, but did not like to talk about it. Consequently, there were lot of 'nudge and a wink' type jokes about it.
Some Like It Hot (1959) starring Marilyn Monroe
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.vidilife.com/video_play_74190_British_Humour.htm
*"The dog was too fast for me to follow it."
"The dog went too fast for me to follow it."
Personally, I try not to use 'it' too often. Because it is not always obvious what it refers too. However in practice it is very difficult to avoid using it.
In the Sixties, in a climate of sexual repression, there were a lot of references to 'it', and everybody knew what it was, but did not like to talk about it. Consequently, there were lot of 'nudge and a wink' type jokes about it.
Some Like It Hot (1959) starring Marilyn Monroe
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.vidilife.com/video_play_74190_British_Humour.htm
<<Because it is not always obvious what it refers too. However in practice it is very difficult to avoid using it. >>
That depends on your slills regarding anaphpr and cataphor.
That depends on your slills regarding anaphpr and cataphor.
Edited:
That depends on your skills regarding anaphor, cataphor and other "-phors".
That depends on your skills regarding anaphor, cataphor and other "-phors".
I have rediscovered this Grammar Site.
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/home.htm
Nouns and Pronouns (it)
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/nouns/nouns.htm
Hopefully This will improve my CapitalisaTion!
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/home.htm
Nouns and Pronouns (it)
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/nouns/nouns.htm
Hopefully This will improve my CapitalisaTion!
OK, I will mention a little row that I had.
When B. came home, I said:
"A phone rang"
She got very upset, and accused me of not answering her phone.
My point was, that I was not sure which phone had rung. I have since discovered that it was probably my new mobile making a strange noise to tell me that battery was failing - I might be wrong.
++++
The determiner a (or an, when the following noun begins with a vowel) is the INDEFINITE ARTICLE. It is used when the noun is singular:
a taxi
a paper
an apple
++++
INDEFINITE meaning -
vague or not clearly defined or stated
numerous and variable in number
I just thought I would share that experience with you!
When B. came home, I said:
"A phone rang"
She got very upset, and accused me of not answering her phone.
My point was, that I was not sure which phone had rung. I have since discovered that it was probably my new mobile making a strange noise to tell me that battery was failing - I might be wrong.
++++
The determiner a (or an, when the following noun begins with a vowel) is the INDEFINITE ARTICLE. It is used when the noun is singular:
a taxi
a paper
an apple
++++
INDEFINITE meaning -
vague or not clearly defined or stated
numerous and variable in number
I just thought I would share that experience with you!