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Discussion Groups / English Usage / July 2009held the door for her passing through
Hello: (A) The doorman held the door for her passing through. This seems grammatically OK, but doesn't seem to be supported by usage. How about it? Am I right. -- Thanks. Marius Hancu > Hello: > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Thanks. > Marius Hancu The "passing through" is unnessessary. >Hello: > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >How about it? Am I right. As Ray has said, "for her passing through" is unnecessary. I think the following would be acceptable: The doorman held the door to allow her to pass (through). The doorman held the door to allow her to go through. The doorman held the door for her to pass through. "her passing through" has, to me, an undertone of ceremony or grandeur.  SignaturePeter Duncanson, UK (in alt.usage.english) On Jul 7, 12:29 pm, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)" <m...@peterduncanson.net> wrote: > >(A) The doorman held the door for her passing through. > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > "her passing through" has, to me, an undertone of ceremony or grandeur. I see Ray's point, however why then would one see more necessary the parts/phrases after "door" in your sentences, sorry? Thanks. Marius Hancu >On Jul 7, 12:29 pm, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)" <m...@peterduncanson.net> >wrote: [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] >I see Ray's point, however why then would one see more necessary the >parts/phrases after "door" in your sentences, sorry? Sometimes sentences are longer than they strictly need to be. <smile> The additional phrases clarify that the doorman held the door open rather than holding it in a closed position. The doorman held the door open for her. would be fine. SignaturePeter Duncanson, UK (in alt.usage.english) On Jul 7, 12:57 pm, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)" <m...@peterduncanson.net> wrote: > >> I think the following would be acceptable: > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > The additional phrases clarify that the doorman held the door open > rather than holding it in a closed position. True, great thinking:-) > The doorman held the door open for her. > > would be fine. Nifty points. Thanks. Marius Hancu On Jul 7, 12:29 pm, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)" <m...@peterduncanson.net> wrote: > "her passing through" has, to me, an undertone of ceremony or grandeur. To me it sounds as old-fashioned or very formal grammar, thus leading to your conclusions, still correct. Marius Hancu > Hello: > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > How about it? Am I right. No. The noun there is "passing" (more fully, the noun phrase "her passing through"), and the doorman did not hold the door for it, he held it for her. The sentence could be amended in many ways, starting with simply striking "her passing". Another would be "for her to pass through". SignatureCordially, Eric Walker, Owlcroft House http://owlcroft.com/english/ |
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