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A grammar structure need to be explained

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by limestone » Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:07 pm
First, this is not a GMAT Sentence correction. So I'm sorry for posting it here.

However, I think this sub-forum is the most appropriate place to ask about grammar, isn't it?

I saw a writing topic " Write about the biggest problem facing your city." Also, I have googled for such a structure, and found that this structure is used quite frequently. So is it correct?

Why don't we use The biggest problem faced by your city?

I Will appreciate if any can throw some light into this.
"There is nothing either good or bad - but thinking makes it so" - Shakespeare.
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by ashokkadam » Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:00 pm
because inanimate subjects cannot face a problem
limestone wrote:First, this is not a GMAT Sentence correction. So I'm sorry for posting it here.

However, I think this sub-forum is the most appropriate place to ask about grammar, isn't it?

I saw a writing topic " Write about the biggest problem facing your city." Also, I have googled for such a structure, and found that this structure is used quite frequently. So is it correct?

Why don't we use The biggest problem faced by your city?

I Will appreciate if any can throw some light into this.
Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins.
Join the discussion

by limestone » Sat Oct 09, 2010 9:00 am
ashokkadam wrote:because inanimate subjects cannot face a problem
limestone wrote:First, this is not a GMAT Sentence correction. So I'm sorry for posting it here.

However, I think this sub-forum is the most appropriate place to ask about grammar, isn't it?

I saw a writing topic " Write about the biggest problem facing your city." Also, I have googled for such a structure, and found that this structure is used quite frequently. So is it correct?

Why don't we use The biggest problem faced by your city?

I Will appreciate if any can throw some light into this.
Ya, the city is an inanimate subject. So, what is the full version of this phrase the biggest problem facing your city?

Is it " the biggest problem that faced your city" ?
"There is nothing either good or bad - but thinking makes it so" - Shakespeare.
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by ashokkadam » Sat Oct 09, 2010 9:42 am
Here are correct versions:

1) The biggest problem that your city faces is pollution.
2) The biggest problem facing your city is pollution.

Hope that helps.
limestone wrote:
ashokkadam wrote:because inanimate subjects cannot face a problem
limestone wrote:First, this is not a GMAT Sentence correction. So I'm sorry for posting it here.

However, I think this sub-forum is the most appropriate place to ask about grammar, isn't it?

I saw a writing topic " Write about the biggest problem facing your city." Also, I have googled for such a structure, and found that this structure is used quite frequently. So is it correct?

Why don't we use The biggest problem faced by your city?

I Will appreciate if any can throw some light into this.
Ya, the city is an inanimate subject. So, what is the full version of this phrase the biggest problem facing your city?

Is it " the biggest problem that faced your city" ?
Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins.
Join the discussion

by Jim@Grockit » Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:51 pm
limestone wrote:First, this is not a GMAT Sentence correction. So I'm sorry for posting it here.

However, I think this sub-forum is the most appropriate place to ask about grammar, isn't it?

I saw a writing topic " Write about the biggest problem facing your city." Also, I have googled for such a structure, and found that this structure is used quite frequently. So is it correct?

Why don't we use The biggest problem faced by your city?

I Will appreciate if any can throw some light into this.
I think the reasons you see the biggest problem facing your city are 1) avoiding wordiness, and 2) present tense. Facing certainly has the wider meaning "be a source of concern for", so I don't think inanimate-ness is an issue.
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