[title]Family quotes[/title] [description]Welcome to our family quotes section! Here you'll find some of the funniest (and wisest) quotes on the subject of family life![/description]
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Latest post Tue, Jun 9 2009 2:19 PM by Mr Wordy. 1 replies.
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Anonymous  +  771435 Tue, 09 Jun 09 12:51 AM
Hello.

I have a question regarding the use of the verb "make."


- I made him play the piano.


I'm trying to incorporate the above sentence, and I was wondering if the sentences below are grammatically correct. If yes, which one sounds more natural to you? Is there another way to imply the same meaning?


1. He's the guy who was made to play the piano by me.

2. He's the guy who I made to play the piano.


Thank you

Mr Wordy  +  772574 Tue, 09 Jun 09 02:19 PM
#1 seems grammatically correct but not very elegant. Structure #2 is in principle neater but the word "to" doesn't sound right to me. Unfortunately, removing "to" still doesn't make the sentence very natural to my ear. I think the problem is the verb "make". "I made him play the piano" is fine, but when you try to invert the sentence it doesn't seem to work so well. If you must say it this way then I think I would try to choose another verb, such as "force", and use structure #2:

 

"He's the guy who I forced to play the piano."

 

Technically you should say "whom", but the juxtaposition of the casual "guy" and formal "whom" feels odd.

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