Please tell me which is correct

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Anonymous

#574180 Tue, 07 Oct 08 05:53 PM

I am having a debate with a co-worker over grammar. Please tell me which sentence you think is correct:

I assisted Detective Smith collect and package the evidence.
I assisted Detective Smith with collecting and packaging the evidence.

If you can give me the parts of speech that will help me understand which one is (more) correct, I would greatly appreciate it!

KJ

Anonymous

Grammar

Fandorin

#574229 Tue, 07 Oct 08 08:34 PM

Anonymous
I am having a debate with a co-worker over grammar. Please tell me which sentence you think is correct:

I assisted Detective Smith to collect and package the evidence.
I assisted Detective Smith with collecting and packaging the evidence.

If you can give me the parts of speech that will help me understand which one is (more) correct, I would greatly appreciate it!

KJ

Fandorin

Joined on Thu, Dec 20 2007

Russia

Full Member (473)

Whatever happens, be yourself.

Grammar

RayH

#574230 Tue, 07 Oct 08 08:38 PM

I assisted Detective Smith collect and package the evidence.                    Incorrect
I assisted Detective Smith with collecting and packaging the evidence.        OK

Also consider:    I assisted Detective Smith in collecting and packaging the evidence.

RayH

Joined on Sat, Mar 22 2008

CA, USA

Regular Member (796)

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

ohmyrichard

#574241 Tue, 07 Oct 08 09:51 PM

I would say "I assisted Detective Smith in collecting and packaging the evidence" though my dictionary tells me that "assist somebody to do something" can also be used. "Assist somebody do something" is not allowed in English. Another structure we can use is "assist somebody with something." Hope this helps.
Richard

ohmyrichard

Joined on Sat, Sep 27 2008

New Member (26)