Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[chinagary]

Dear sir or madam,
Which word should be used in the following sentence: " These and other deeds _____ the minds of all his nobility from him." We have two options. A. diversified B. involved
Which one is correct and what does this sentence mean?
Please help me. Thank you.

chinagary

[Mister Micawber]

.
Odd, indeed, China Gary. The answer can only be A, I suppose: These and other deeds diversified the minds of all his nobility from him.

Diversified...from makes some sense; involved...from does not.

The sentence would presumably mean that his nobles contemplated/performed the deeds and therefore began to think diffferently than he. Still, I certainly would not construct the sentence in that way. A google search does not turn it up as an historical quotation, either. Could it have been written by a non-native speaker?
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[welkins2139]

I would pick " involved "

let's presume it is correct ?

I have questions.

#1 Can I use " involve " with an active voice even though the subject is not a person ?

These and other deeds involved the minds of all his nobility from him."

#2 should the word " mind" be singluar in the sentence ?

#3 should I change the sentence to passive voice ?

These and other deeds are/were involved the minds of all his nobility from him."

#4 Would it be better if I changed the sentence to,

A: These and other deeds involved his nobility mind.

B: These and other deeds are/were involved his nobility mind.

Thanks

[Mister Micawber]

.
#1 Can I use " involve " with an active voice even though the subject is not a person ? -- Yes: 'Speaking involves the use of the tongue and teeth'.

#2 should the word " mind" be singular in the sentence ? -- No; it is all the nobility, and each of them has a mind.

#3 should I change the sentence to passive voice ? -- Then you will need a particle:
These and other deeds were involved in the minds of all his nobility.-- but from him still makes no semantic sense.

#4 Would it be better if I changed the sentence to:

A: These and other deeds involved his nobility mind. -- No
B: These and other deeds are/were involved his nobility mind. -- No; you could make--
C: These and other deeds involved his noble mind -- but we have lost all his minions in this process.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[welkins2139]

Thank You