sentence rephrasing

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Anonymous

#501455 Wed, 16 Apr 08 02:01 PM

Interestingly, there is a specific type of child abduction can have negative psychological effects on individuals only marginally involved in it, and that is infant abduction.

Can this sentence be rephrased as follows? Please advise.

Interestingly, if there is a specific type of child abduction which can have negative psychological effects on individuals only marginally involved in it is infant abduction.

Anonymous

Negatives

Clive

#501549 Wed, 16 Apr 08 05:26 PM

Hi,

Interestingly, there is a specific type of child abduction which/that can have negative psychological effects on individuals only marginally involved in it, and that is infant abduction.

Can this sentence be rephrased as follows? Please advise.

No, say it this way. Interestingly, ~~if there is~~ a specific type of child abduction which can have negative psychological effects on individuals only marginally involved in it is infant abduction.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (20,461)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Negatives

RayH

#501569 Wed, 16 Apr 08 06:23 PM

Anonymous

Interestingly, there is a specific type of child abduction can have negative psychological effects on individuals only marginally involved in it, and that is infant abduction.
Can this sentence be rephrased as follows? Please advise.
Interestingly, if there is a specific type of child abduction which can have negative psychological effects on individuals only marginally involved in it is infant abduction.

Here's my take on rephrasing your sentence:
Interestingly, if there is a specific type of child abduction which can have negative psychological effects on individuals only marginally involved, in it is infant abduction.

RayH

Joined on Sat, Mar 22 2008

CA, USA

Regular Member (654)

Native speaker of U. S. English. Not a grammar expert.

Negatives

Clive

#501633 Thu, 17 Apr 08 12:14 AM

Hi,

Yes, but to my mind 'If there is . . it is . . ' introduces at least the possibility that there may be some slight doubt about it in the speaker's mind. The structure can, of course, also be used simply as a form of emphasis. But in some contexts, at least some ambiguity may remain.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

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