Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Junkomama]

Hello, teachers.

"Most foreigners who come to Japan are surprised that many earthquakes occur in this country."

Is it possible to change this sentence into the following ones?

1. "Foreigners who come to Japan are mostly surprised that many earthquakes occur in this country."

2. "Most foreigners who come to Japan are surprised that Japan is subjected to earthquakes."

Thank you in advance!
Junkomama

[CP]

I would add "so" to the first sentence: "Most foreigners who come to Japan are surprised that so many earthquakes occur in this country." Or change "that so many" to "at how many."

1. "Foreigners who come to Japan are mostly surprised that many earthquakes occur in this country."

This might pass in casual conversation, but it would be better to leave off the "mostly."

2. "Most foreigners who come to Japan are surprised that Japan is subjected to earthquakes."

This is fine. It lacks the punch of the first sentence, in that it does not convey the message that there are many earthquakes in Japan.
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[Junkomama]

Thank you very much for your comments, CP-san!

Regards,
Junkomama