Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705

There are two things we can�t escape: death and tax.

1. Is this a saying?
2. Should it be escape from?

Thanks.

Bob S. · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 1767 Location: So. Cal

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705

Thanks.

LucentShade · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 542 Location: Nebraska, USA

One other thing:

"Should they be escaped from?"

"Should they be avoid ed?"

You are using the passive voice here, so the verbs need to be in the past participle with the ~d, ~ed, ~t etc. endings.

(I'm using "they" because you're talking about two things, death and taxes, and "it" is singular.)

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705

Thanks. I was asking if it should be "escape from" instead of "escape?"

LucentShade · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 542 Location: Nebraska, USA

Sorry, I misunderstood. Yes, Bob S. is right, "escape" and "escape from" are both correct. "Escape from" is most common when you are leaving a physical place, as in "The criminal escaped from prison."

BMO · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705