a donating/donation box

   Share on Facebook  
Angliholic  #545169  Wed, 23 Jul 08 12:39 AM
I saw two people holding a donating box on their hands.
I saw two persons holding a donation box with their hands.


Hi,
Is it better to reword the first in the above as the second? Thanks.
  
Top 25 Contributor
Joined on Wed, Feb 14 2007
SomewhereinFormosa
Veteran Member (5,169)
Without true love, life is meaningless and worthless since our physical world is nothing but a dream. ~~Angliholic~~簡瑞達
Mr Wordy  #545191  Wed, 23 Jul 08 01:19 AM

What you've written means that two people are holding one box. Is that what you wanted? If not then it should be "... holding donation boxes ..." 

"people" is usually better than "persons", and so it is here.

"donating box" sounds odd to me. You should say "donation box".

"holding ... on their hands" is almost always wrong, and is here.

"holding ... with their hands" is possible but not very natural.

"holding .. in their hands" is most natural.

However, you don't really need any of these: "... holding a donation box." is fine by itself. The "hands" part doesn't really add any value (how else would they be holding it?)

 

  
Top 75 Contributor
Joined on Tue, May 27 2008
Regular Member (960)
Proficient Speaker
Native British English speaker
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service