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Ask for help > Is it correct?
Is it correct?
t.javanshir
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Is it correct?
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Can "when encountered" be correct in this sentence?
Members of the public are therefore advised to exercise extreme caution when encountered these individuals.
I was making a test and was wondering if I could include when encountered as an incorrect alternative. The original sentence was this:
Members of the public are therefore advised to exercise extreme caution if
encountering these individuals.
what about "as encounter"?
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13 Jul 2011
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jasmine khan
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Hi!
I don �t think it �s correct because in this sentence �encounter � refers to something/ an action that may happen more than once, generally, often or repeatedly n we use use present form of the verb in such a case while past form of the verb is used to refer to an action completed in the past n is often done once not repeatedly or more than once. So to me "when encountered" in this context seems incorrect ,the correct version would be when encounter.
Regards Jasmine
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13 Jul 2011
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lshorton99
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Hi!
I �m sorry to tell you that �when encountered � �as encounter � and �when encounter � would not be correct in this case.
Jasmine makes some good points in that it is an action that may happen more than once but we can �t use a simple present tense here because the original sentence �if encountering � is a particple clause. We cannot use a past participle because this is something which is true in the present.
Another note is that, in this case, �if � and �when � change the meaning slightly. �If � suggests nothing more than a possibility whereas �when � implies that these people are likely to be encountered at some point. �As encounter � - I can �t see any way in which this makes sense - sorry!
The sentence can be rewritten in one of the following ways:
�Members of the public are therefore advised to exercise extreme caution upon encountering these individuals. � ( �upon � would also change the meaning slightly)
�Members of the public are therefore advised to exercise extreme caution should they encounter these individuals. � (using �should � and an inversion allows a verb form to follow)
�Members of the public are therefore advised to exercise extreme caution if they encounter these individuals. � (the participle clause is replaced by the less complex subject verb form)
�Memebers of the public are therefore advised to exercise extreme caution should/if these individuals be encountered. � (the only way a past participle can be used is as part of a passive verb form).
I hope that helps!
Lindsey
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13 Jul 2011
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douglas
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Yes, "When encountered" can be used as an INCORRECT answer in this sentence. |
13 Jul 2011
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