4 ms·
> Omit the 'of' after 'all' unless you change the meaning of the sentence. (all of) You mean like this? "(...) but disappointed that all them have been wrong
by tripzilch 13y ago
> Omit the 'of' after 'all' unless you change the meaning of the sentence. (all of)
You mean like this?
"(...) but disappointed that all them have been wrong (...)"
Really? I'm not a native speaker, but that doesn't look right.
- Swizec 13y agoNo, like this: "(...) but disappointed that all have been wrong (...)" As non-native speakers (I'm one too), we have a tendency to use English inelegantly and stuff too many words in sentences.
- pjscott 13y agoThose extra words can help a sentence flow better. If elegance in language were simply a matter of maximal compression while following a set of grammatical rules, then writing would be a lot easier than it actually is.
- Swizec 13y agoElegance in language is not about using the fewest words that still follow grammatical rules. It's using as few words as possible while following all grammatical rules, having good flow, a good sound and the right emotional meaning. That's why good writing takes effort.