ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: Will someone help me

Abil — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:50:56 GMT

Dear Forum Guru, Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Actually, this is a part of an article I am translating into english. I will remember not to use "because of the fact that" clause. Abil

Re: Will someone help me

Grammar Geek — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:24:43 GMT

Abil
Can someone check if there is any mistake in the following sentence: Although Che Sung tried to harm him in many different ways, he was saved and the illegal occupation of his land could be staved off because ~~of the fact that~~ the administration was somewhat neutral at that time.

Hi Abil

Regarding the blue "he" - I assume that it refers back to the blue "him," but the structure makes it sound like it refers back to Che Sung.

Notice the tenses in pink: tried, was saved, could be - the switch to the modal here is unexpected. The other things are in the past - was it "staved off" or not?

Please, try not to use "because of the fact that" - just say "because."

I cannot understand the connection between a neutral adminstration and staving off the illegal occupation, nor what it has to do with Che Sung's attempt to harm the un-named "him." They don't seem like they belong in the same sentence at all.

Re: Will someone help me

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:14:13 GMT

It could be improved in some ways, it's OK - but two easy things you could do:

- Put a comma after "saved".

- "could be" needs to change to "was"; OR "was able to be" might be even better.

Re: Will someone help me

Abil — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:01:20 GMT

Dear Anonymous, Thanks a lot.

Re: Will someone help me

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:17:14 GMT

Its fine. It could be improved but grammatically it's fine.

Will someone help me

Abil — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:36:19 GMT

Can someone check if there is any mistake in the following sentence: Although Che Sung tried to harm him in many different ways, he was saved and the illegal occupation of his land could be staved off because of the fact that the administration was somewhat neutral at that time.