Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[wwg139580]

Hello.
Would you do me a big favour to tell me if this is right?
"Any of the girls was to be given a new skirt."


Thanks a lot

[Mister Micawber]

.
Possible. I cannot tell if it is 'right' unless I see the context.
.
_________________
"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

[wwg139580]

Mister Micawber. Thank you very much for your reply. But there is no context for this sentence. It is a multiple choice question:

____ of the girls was to be given a new skirt.

A. All B. Every C. Any D. None


The given answer is D. But I think C is also right. So I raised the question.
I wonder if anyone can give me further explanation.

[CP]

Well, D is right, but C is not natural.

Here's how to make them natural:

All of the girls were to be given a new skirt.
Every one of the girls was to be given a new skirt.
Not any of the girls was to be given a new skirt.
None of the girls was to be given a new skirt.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Mister Micawber]

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Dave was the owner of a ritzy boutique with a large staff. Any of the girls was to be given a new skirt -- if they sold $500 in merchandise.
.
_________________
"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