Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[b7lake]

(Question 1)
Are the following sentences correct?
He was shamed.
He was shameful.

He was ashmed of a big mistake.
He was ashamed of making a big mistake.
He was ashamed to make a big mistake.

(Question 2)
Are the following sentences correct?
The reason why I ask you about it is because I'm worried about you.
The reason I ask you about it is that I'm worried about you.

[CP]

Question 1
"He was shamed." Usually you would say "shamed by" something or someone.
"He was shameful." No, but his actions could be shameful.

"He was ashamed of a big mistake." All right; or "ashamed of what he had done."
"He was ashamed of making a big mistake." No. Afraid of making one, maybe.
"He was ashamed to make a big mistake." No. Afraid to make one, maybe.

Question 2
"The reason why I ask you about it is because I'm worried about you." Not right because of the "why" and the "because."
"The reason I ask you about it is that I'm worried about you." Fine. Or you could also say "The reason that I ask you . . . ."
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