Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

commit

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
b7lake



Joined: 30 Apr 2006
Posts: 181
PostPosted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 am    Post subject: commit Reply with quote
(1)If they committed to resolve the problem, the scandal would not have happened.
(2)If they committed to resolving the problem, the scandal would not have happened.

Are both sentences correct?

Thanks a lot for your help!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
dragn



Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
PostPosted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
(1)If they committed to resolve the problem, the scandal would not have happened.
(2)If they committed to resolving the problem, the scandal would not have happened.

Are both sentences correct?


As far as the verb commit is concerned, you can commit to do something and you can commit to doing something, although commit to doing something is more common.

However, I'm not really fond of either one because both seem a bit off in terms of tense. I'm unsure of the precise meaning that is intended, but what would seem to be the normal thing to say here would be:

If they had committed to resolving the problem, the scandal would not have happened.

Greg
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group