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PASTEL

#163770 Mon, 28 Nov 05 12:47 PM

The kettledrum produces different tones depending on whether _____ with sticks that have felt or sponge heads.

Can I say 'whether to strick'?

Thanks,

Pastel Smile [:)]

PASTEL

Joined on Thu, Jul 1 2004

Regular Member (547)

Mister Micawber

#163790 Mon, 28 Nov 05 01:39 PM

No!

Actually, I am not sure what you mean, though. Stick is a noun here, meaning drumstick. Some have their heads covered with felt and others are covered with sponge.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (22,606)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

Nouns

goldmund

#163797 Mon, 28 Nov 05 01:45 PM

Dear Pastel,

It is my opinion that you may say «whether it is hit» or «whether it is struck». Smile [:)]

Kind regards, Smile [:)]

Goldmund

goldmund

Joined on Fri, Jun 10 2005

Regular Member (581)

«Tout homme peut dire véritablement; mais dire ordonnément, prudemment et suffisamment, peu d'hommes le peuvent.» - Michel de Montaigne

Regards

Mister Micawber

#163807 Mon, 28 Nov 05 01:58 PM

Ah, yes-- thank you, Goldmund. And we (or at least I) have not heard much from you recently either.

Yes, Pastel, I am still teaching in Yokohama.

Mister Micawber

PASTEL

#163839 Mon, 28 Nov 05 03:28 PM

Haha! Silly typo!

I mean 'strike.'

The kettledrum produces different tones depending on whether it is struck with sticks (or not.)

This is correct and I know the structure.

The kettledrum produces different tones depending on whether to strike with sticks (or not.)

I don't know why it is incorrect. I think this sentence, 'Whether to go or not doesn't really matter' is fine. So, I kind of tend to generalize that whether to strike with sticks or not in the example doesn't sound too wrong. Can you explain in grammatical terms, please?

Thanks,

PASTEL

#163844 Mon, 28 Nov 05 03:36 PM

Before you reply, I can think of a reason why it isn't correct.

The kettledrum produces different tones depending on whether it is struck with sticks or not.

We need an object after 'depending on.' And 'whether' functions as a conjuncion which needs a noun phrase to form the object complement of 'depending on.' Then, that it is struck with sticks is a noun phrase.

I hope you know what I'm saying.

PASTEL

Nouns, Noun Phrases