Doubt that / doubt if
I am preparing for an exam and came across this sentence in which I need to spot the error:
One of the members (A)/ expressed doubt if (B)/ the minister was an atheist. (C) / No error (D)
I have a grammar rule book which says that we use doubt if / whether in affirmative sentences and doubt that in negative or interrogative. Upon googling too I came to the same conclusion but as per the solution given in the book (question bank book, it's different from a grammar rule book) it says error is in part B. I think it is No Error. What's your opinion?
word-choice conjunctions
edited 3 hours ago
Laurel
32.9k664117
asked Apr 29 '17 at 5:12
user212388user212388
1003
add a comment |
I am preparing for an exam and came across this sentence in which I need to spot the error:
One of the members (A)/ expressed doubt if (B)/ the minister was an atheist. (C) / No error (D)
I have a grammar rule book which says that we use doubt if / whether in affirmative sentences and doubt that in negative or interrogative. Upon googling too I came to the same conclusion but as per the solution given in the book (question bank book, it's different from a grammar rule book) it says error is in part B. I think it is No Error. What's your opinion?
word-choice conjunctions
edited 3 hours ago
Laurel
32.9k664117
asked Apr 29 '17 at 5:12
user212388user212388
1003
add a comment |
I am preparing for an exam and came across this sentence in which I need to spot the error:
One of the members (A)/ expressed doubt if (B)/ the minister was an atheist. (C) / No error (D)
I have a grammar rule book which says that we use doubt if / whether in affirmative sentences and doubt that in negative or interrogative. Upon googling too I came to the same conclusion but as per the solution given in the book (question bank book, it's different from a grammar rule book) it says error is in part B. I think it is No Error. What's your opinion?
word-choice conjunctions
edited 3 hours ago
Laurel
32.9k664117
asked Apr 29 '17 at 5:12
user212388user212388
1003
I am preparing for an exam and came across this sentence in which I need to spot the error:
One of the members (A)/ expressed doubt if (B)/ the minister was an atheist. (C) / No error (D)
I have a grammar rule book which says that we use doubt if / whether in affirmative sentences and doubt that in negative or interrogative. Upon googling too I came to the same conclusion but as per the solution given in the book (question bank book, it's different from a grammar rule book) it says error is in part B. I think it is No Error. What's your opinion?
word-choice conjunctions
word-choice conjunctions
edited 3 hours ago
Laurel
32.9k664117
asked Apr 29 '17 at 5:12
user212388user212388
1003
edited 3 hours ago
Laurel
32.9k664117
asked Apr 29 '17 at 5:12
user212388user212388
1003
edited 3 hours ago
Laurel
32.9k664117
edited 3 hours ago
Laurel
32.9k664117
edited 3 hours ago
Laurel
32.9k664117
32.9k664117
asked Apr 29 '17 at 5:12
user212388user212388
1003
asked Apr 29 '17 at 5:12
user212388user212388
1003
asked Apr 29 '17 at 5:12
user212388user212388
1003
1003
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
The sentence is ambiguous as it stands:
One of the members expressed doubt if the minister was an atheist.
can be read as:
One of the members expressed doubt// if the minister was an atheist.
implying the minister is variable, and so the sentence conjunction is wrong.
Instead, use:
One of the members expressed a doubt as to whether the minister was an atheist (or not).
This makes the intended meaning clear.
answered Apr 29 '17 at 6:11
JonMark PerryJonMark Perry
3,232102636
add a comment |
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The sentence is ambiguous as it stands:
One of the members expressed doubt if the minister was an atheist.
can be read as:
One of the members expressed doubt// if the minister was an atheist.
implying the minister is variable, and so the sentence conjunction is wrong.
Instead, use:
One of the members expressed a doubt as to whether the minister was an atheist (or not).
This makes the intended meaning clear.
answered Apr 29 '17 at 6:11
JonMark PerryJonMark Perry
3,232102636
add a comment |
The sentence is ambiguous as it stands:
One of the members expressed doubt if the minister was an atheist.
can be read as:
One of the members expressed doubt// if the minister was an atheist.
implying the minister is variable, and so the sentence conjunction is wrong.
Instead, use:
One of the members expressed a doubt as to whether the minister was an atheist (or not).
This makes the intended meaning clear.
answered Apr 29 '17 at 6:11
JonMark PerryJonMark Perry
3,232102636
add a comment |
The sentence is ambiguous as it stands:
One of the members expressed doubt if the minister was an atheist.
can be read as:
One of the members expressed doubt// if the minister was an atheist.
implying the minister is variable, and so the sentence conjunction is wrong.
Instead, use:
One of the members expressed a doubt as to whether the minister was an atheist (or not).
This makes the intended meaning clear.
answered Apr 29 '17 at 6:11
JonMark PerryJonMark Perry
3,232102636
The sentence is ambiguous as it stands:
One of the members expressed doubt if the minister was an atheist.
can be read as:
One of the members expressed doubt// if the minister was an atheist.
implying the minister is variable, and so the sentence conjunction is wrong.
Instead, use:
One of the members expressed a doubt as to whether the minister was an atheist (or not).
This makes the intended meaning clear.
answered Apr 29 '17 at 6:11
JonMark PerryJonMark Perry
3,232102636
answered Apr 29 '17 at 6:11
JonMark PerryJonMark Perry
3,232102636
answered Apr 29 '17 at 6:11
JonMark PerryJonMark Perry
3,232102636
answered Apr 29 '17 at 6:11
JonMark PerryJonMark Perry
3,232102636
3,232102636
add a comment |
add a comment |
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