Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[welkins2139]

The state rejected John's claim that he was not an inheritor to his grandfather's 28 acre plantation.

The judge rejected his claim based upon no merit what so ever.

Are these sentences OK?

thank you

[CP]

1. "The state rejected John's claim that he was not an inheritor to his grandfather's 28 acre plantation."

Your sentence means that John claimed not to be an heir to his grandfather's estate and that the state rejected his claim--i.e., adjudged that he was an heir to the estate. I think you want to change it. Try:
"The state rejected John's claim that he was an heir to his grandfather's 28-acre plantation."

2. "The judge rejected his claim based upon no merit what so ever."

Do you mean that the judge's ruling was without merit or that John's claim was without merit? Depending on what you want to say, you might try:
"The judge rejected the claim as without merit [or as meritless]."
"The judge ruled that John's claim had no merit whatsoever."
"The judge's ruling rejecting John's claim was without merit."

Hope this helps.

Yours truly, CP

[welkins2139]

Thank You