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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > POSITION OF THE PREPOSITION IN QUESTIONS
POSITION OF THE PREPOSITION IN QUESTIONS
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grzincic
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POSITION OF THE PREPOSITION IN QUESTIONS
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Dear teachers,
I �d appreciate your help on the position of the preposition in this question:
a) Who were you at the cinema with last night? b) Who were you with at the cinema last night? c) Who were you at the cinema last night with?
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11 Nov 2013
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sonia3
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I would say b is the correct option.
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11 Nov 2013
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kiranrpt
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I would also say b, first you formulate the question and then you add the rest of complemets! |
11 Nov 2013
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grzincic
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That �s what I thought, too, but somehow, a) sounds better, in my opinion. Thank you very much on your answers. |
11 Nov 2013
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afteleg
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I was with A at the cinema last night. I was at the cinema with A last night. I was at the cinema last night with A.
I think since the question starts with Who/whom, then the with should follow right away as in b.
Try changing the question to why/when/ etc.
Why were you with A at the cinema last night? Why were you at the cinema with A last night? Why were you at the cinema last night with A?
I think all of these are correct but with diff in meaning. the who question, however, could only focus on one meaning. The why question is a diff case.
Hope this does not confuse u even more.
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11 Nov 2013
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cunliffe
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b - and it sounds better to me. |
11 Nov 2013
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yanogator
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All are correct, but c is the least natural sounding. The other two depend on the emphasis. If I saw you there, I would definitely use b. If my question is more about who took you out, I would tend to use a. To me, option b somewhat implies the interpretation of "Who did I see you with at the cinema last night?".
Bruce |
11 Nov 2013
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grzincic
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Thanks to all of you! Your explanations helped me to get a better picture, especially yours, Bruce. It �s the easiest for me to understand. English can be tricky sometimes (often) :) The more I learn , the less I know :( |
11 Nov 2013
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yanogator
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It �s tricky for everyone, including the native speakers.
Bruce
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11 Nov 2013
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teresasimoes
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I think a) and b) sound the best, but c) can also be used in some particular situation. None of them is wrong, I think. |
11 Nov 2013
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Enid Stella
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As a native speaker I would certainly use option b, not a or c. Afteleg has excellent suggestions. |
11 Nov 2013
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