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Discussion Groups / English Usage / July 2009It's easy enough
Hello: How do you feel about the Bs here? 1. (A) Climbing a mountain without a backpack is easy enough. (B) It is easy enough climbing a mountain without a backpack. 2. (A) Saving money is important. (B) It is important saving money. 3. (A) Going out this evening is out of question. (B) It is out of question going out this evening. 4. (A) Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal. (B) It is illegal using a mobile phone while driving. 5. (A) Eating raw fish is common in Japan. (B) It is common eating raw fish in Japan. -- Thanks. Marius Hancu > Hello: > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > (A) Eating raw fish is common in Japan. > (B) It is common eating raw fish in Japan. I'm against them. They probably exist, but they'd all sound more natural with "to"+infinitive. Even then I'd prefer the A's on style grounds. Some of them suggest a construction where the participle is a gerund. "It's important, saving money." Henry James was fond of this, and it's also said to be typical of Jewish-American speech. "It's very beautiful, that dress." http://www.rajuabju.com/elat/hebonics.htm -- Jerry Friedman > Hello: > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > (A) Climbing a mountain without a backpack is easy enough. > (B) It is easy enough climbing a mountain without a backpack. I'd prefer "to climb" instead of "climbing". > 2. > (A) Saving money is important. > (B) It is important saving money. I'd prefer "to save" instead of "saving". > 3. > (A) Going out this evening is out of question. > (B) It is out of question going out this evening. The expression is "out of /the/ question". I don't like (B) at all. > 4. > (A) Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal. > (B) It is illegal using a mobile phone while driving. I like "to use", not "using". > 5. > (A) Eating raw fish is common in Japan. > (B) It is common eating raw fish in Japan. Again, use "to eat" instead of "eating".  SignatureSkitt (AmE) > The expression is "out of /the/ question". > I don't like (B) at all. Doesn't out of /the/ question have two almost opposite meanings? out of the question = "not going to happen" out of question = "not to be questioned" >> The expression is "out of /the/ question". >> I don't like (B) at all. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > out of question = "not to be questioned" The "out of question" expression's meaning is unknown to me. I think Shakespeare used it. SignatureSkitt (AmE) >> Hello: >> How do you feel about the Bs here? [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > >Again, use "to eat" instead of "eating". I think that all the Bs can be 'rescued' by the addition of a comma before "saving", "going", "using" etc. However, a "to" + infinitive is much better. SignatureIan >> Hello: >> [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > >Again, use "to eat" instead of "eating". I was with you up to this point, but I think that while "to eat" is better, probably exclusively, in B, "eating" is better in A, but not quite exclusively. SignatureEgbert White WAmE >>> Hello: >>> [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > better, probably exclusively, in B, "eating" is better in A, but not > quite exclusively. My comments were addressing the original question about the (B) sentences. The (A) sentences are fine. SignatureSkitt (AmE) jes' fine > Hello: > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > (A) Eating raw fish is common in Japan. > (B) It is common eating raw fish in Japan. IMO all B are wrong, or at least bad, because reversing the order disconnects the "It" from the activity concerned. The impression given is that the speaker says (for example) "It is common", receives a puzzled look from the listener, and then explains what is meant by adding "eating raw fish in Japan". The infinitive form is far better in every case: "It is common to eat raw fish in Japan". SignatureLes (BrE) > How do you feel about the Bs here? > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > (A) Eating raw fish is common in Japan. (B) It is common eating raw fish > in Japan. Pretty much the same as about "The first thing I did yesterday was cleaning the car": bad, because the infinite form is wanted instead. With that corrected in all cases, the B statements simply shift emphasis from the action to the predication about that action. SignatureCordially, Eric Walker, Owlcroft House http://owlcroft.com/english/ > Hello: > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > (A) Eating raw fish is common in Japan. > (B) It is common eating raw fish in Japan. The A's are fine. The B's should use "to" + infinitive. Unless you're Yoda. --Jeff SignatureThe comfort of the wealthy has always depended upon an abundant supply of the poor. --Voltaire > The A's are fine. The B's should use "to" + infinitive. Unless you're > Yoda. That was my feeling too. -- Thank you all. Marius Hancu |
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