1. Poziga

    Poziga Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2013
    Messages:
    581
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    Slovenia

    Word order

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Poziga, May 31, 2017.

    Hello. :)

    My taste in movies develops with every movie watched and my writing skills grow with every article written.

    vs

    My taste in movies develops with every watched movie and my writing skills grow with every written article.

    Can someone please explain the difference in grammatical terms, because i'm sensing there is a difference but it's hard to put a tag on it.

    Thank you :)
     
    joe sixpak likes this.
  2. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 1, 2008
    Messages:
    23,826
    Likes Received:
    20,815
    Location:
    El Tembloroso Caribe
    The difference I get from the two is subtle, but present.

    My taste in movies develops with every movie watched and my writing skills grow with every article written.

    vs

    My taste in movies develops with every watched movie and my writing skills grow with every written article.

    The second example carries with it an unspoken connotation of as opposed to...

    My taste in movies develops with every watched movie (as opposed to those I've only read about) and my writing skills grow with every written article (as opposed to some other form of presentation).

    It's an arguable difference and perhaps not everyone will feel that connotation in the second sentence, but that's what I get from it.
     
    Poziga and Shadowfax like this.
  3. joe sixpak

    joe sixpak Banned

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2017
    Messages:
    297
    Likes Received:
    39
    ===========

    The first sounds better to my ear. The second feels a bit awkward.
    The information content imho is the same although some English professor may find some subtle grammatical difference that makes no difference to most of us.
     
    Poziga likes this.
  4. Shadowfax

    Shadowfax Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2014
    Messages:
    3,420
    Likes Received:
    1,991
    My feeling is that, with No. 2, the word order "written article" implies that it's ANY written article, not just those that I have written; although "watched movie" doesn't have the same connotation. I'm thinking that it's because a written article becomes physical upon having been written, whereas a movie doesn't change its status whether I watch it or not.

    You could remove that confusion by...

    My taste in movies develops with every movie I watch and my writing skills grow with every article I write.
     
    Poziga likes this.
  5. Poziga

    Poziga Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2013
    Messages:
    581
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    Slovenia
    Thank you all.

    @Shadowfax yeah that was the biggest confusion. In the second example I understand both statements as quite generic. Every watched movie -> every movie that was watched. Every written article -> every article that was written.

    Whereas in the first example I get a feeling that the movies were watched by me and articles were written by me, but it sounds a bit unnatural/rigid. That's why I asked if it was possible to write the first option. Your solution is the most sensible, though :)
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice