Minhuoc  +  258742 Thu, 24 Aug 06 07:18 AM Please show me which is correct: 1. Nobody can prevent our getting married. 2. Nobody can prevent our marriage. Thanks. Minhuoc Joined on Tue, Oct 18 2005 Full Member 358 Marriage

	Ruslana  +  258855 Thu, 24 Aug 06 01:55 PM Both. I'd also say, "Nobody can prevent us from getting married". Ruslana Joined on Sat, Dec 17 2005 Senior Member 3,671

	Maple  +  258885 Thu, 24 Aug 06 04:02 PM Somehow I sensed sth inappropriate in sentence "2" It's as if that "marriage" could be damaged, destroyed, or broken, rather than be "prevented". But I'm not sure. I'd like to read the teachers' responses. Maple Joined on Tue, Jul 11 2006 An ESL student in China Contributing Member 1,110 Marriage

	Goodman  +  258908 Thu, 24 Aug 06 05:11 PM  Maple wrote: Somehow I sensed sth inappropriate in sentence "2" It's as if that "marriage" could be damaged, destroyed, or broken, rather than be "prevented". But I'm not sure. I'd like to read the teachers' responses. Maple, Both sentences sounded off to me. Prevent and avoid are very similar verbs which can be interchangeable in certain context but not always.  I see it like this. If my guess is correct, what you meant was “Nobody can avoid getting married”. Prevent is not the right word to use in reference to marriage. We can say “we have to drive carefully to prevent from accidents”.                                                               to avoid accidents. You can say “ To prevent from being a victim of crime, avoid walking alone in unlighted area at night”.   BTW, [our ] is not needed in the context. Hope this helps you! Goodman Joined on Mon, Nov 7 2005 Senior Member 3,816 The name says it all! Verbs, Marriage

	Maple  +  258916 Thu, 24 Aug 06 05:30 PM Thank you Goodman. And  could I learn a phrase from you? What does "sound off" mean? The Dict. says:  (informal, disapproving) to express your opinions loudly or in an aggressive way. Maple

	Goodman  +  258917 Thu, 24 Aug 06 05:39 PM Sound [a little off] Off - as not on the right track. He sounded a little upset - Unhappy The music sounds good. Goodman

	Marius Hancu  +  258923 Thu, 24 Aug 06 06:02 PM Prevent a marriage seems correct according to these writers: Pride and Prejudice by Austen, Jane - Chapter 57 of her resolution to prevent their marriage, it occurred to Elizabeth that she must meditate an application to her nephew; ... Lady Susan by Austen, Jane - Chapter 12 motives, take all possible pains to prevent his marriage with Catherine. My years and increasing infirmities make me very desirous of seeing you ... The Hand of Ethelberta by Hardy, Thomas - Chapter 46 'You did not come to prevent my marriage?' 'We wished to see you before the marriage--I can't say more.' 'I thought you might not approve of what I had done ... The American by James, Henry - Chapter 14 "Does 'every one' wish to prevent my marriage?" "I am afraid of already having said too much," Mrs. Bread replied. "I won't take it back, but I won't say ... Marie by Haggard, H. Rider - Chapter 9 "Ja, ja, I promise that then I will do nothing to prevent your marriage," answered Marais eagerly, like one who has suddenly seen some ... The Black Arrow by Stevenson, Robert Louis - Chapter 23 Craven to prevent this marriage; and, Master Dick, ye know the way of him--do so he will!" "Nay, then," returned Dick, with composure, "you and I, my poor ... Marius Hancu Marriage