Direct object at the beginning of the sentence
1.The presentation you can do on your own.
2. You can do the presentation on your own.
Hello! I was walking down the street and a question popped into my head. Are both sentences correct? And what is the difference?
When do we say the direct object first (at the beginning of the sentence)?
Thanks!!
ค้นหาจากครู ภาษาอังกฤษ หลากหลายคน...
คำตอบ · 2
2
Both are correct, but the first second is the neutral or standard form. The first one is used in specific contexts, particularly to mark a contrast, for example:
Ex. "You should work on the analysis today. The presentation you can leave for tomorrow"
(analysis (today) vs. presentation (tomorrow) )
Ex. "The presentation I can do by myself, but I need help with the code"
(presentation (by myself) vs code (with help) )
It can also be used when talking about tasks, for example when you are discussing work to be done in an office meeting, you might hear expressions like
Ex. "The code I can do right now, the analysis I can do in the afternoon, and the presentation we can all do together tomorrow."
Hope this helps!
2
Generally speaking, we don't start a sentence with a direct object. But sometimes they are placed there for clarification.
A: Can you help me with this project?
B: Okay, but the presentation you can do on your own.
A: I lost my phone and keys!
B: I'll help you find your keys, but the phone you'll have to find by yourself.
This structure is fairly uncommon and usually informal. It is often used with reflexive pronouns (yourself, himself, etc.)
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions.
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