to win (the) first prize in (a/the) competition // volunteer workers // to be sold for/at a...
1.
The boy whose father is unable to speak and hear won the first prize in English speech competition.
→Is this sentence correct? I think we should add "an" or "the" before "English speech competition". Am I right? In addiction, is the THE before "first prize" necessary? Can I omit it?

2.
Many volunteer workers are helping the families whose houses were destroyed by a strong earthquake.
→Is this sentence correct? Is "volunteer workers" correct? Why not just "volunteers? Do you think that it's redundant?

3.
Was the car whose doors and roof were damaged in the last accident sold for/at a very low price?
→Is this sentence correct? Between "for" and "at", which is correct?

Thanks!

Question

to win (the) first prize in (a/the) competition // volunteer workers // to be sold for/at a...
1.
The boy whose father is unable to speak and hear won the first prize in English speech competition.
→Is this sentence correct? I think we should add "an" or "the" before "English speech competition". Am I right? In addiction, is the THE before "first prize" necessary? Can I omit it?

2.
Many volunteer workers are helping the families whose houses were destroyed by a strong earthquake.
→Is this sentence correct? Is "volunteer workers" correct? Why not just "volunteers? Do you think that it's redundant?

3.
Was the car whose doors and roof were damaged in the last accident sold for/at a very low price?
→Is this sentence correct? Between "for" and "at", which is correct?

Thanks!

Answer

1. You can say either "the English competition" (speaking about a specific competition) or "an English competition" (a general English competition). Also, I think it's more natural to say "father who is unable to speak or hear", and to say "won first prize" (omitting the "the"). So I would suggest: "The boy whose father is unable to speak or hear won first prize in the (or "an") English competition."

2. The sentence is perfect! I'm actually not sure about the difference between "volunteers" and "volunteer workers". I think that "volunteer workers" would belong to an actual volunteer organisation, but "volunteers" could be passers-by who want to help.

3. I would probably say "Was the car that had its doors and roof damaged in the last accident sold at a very low price?" I think you can also use "for", but "at" sounds more natural to me.

I hope this helps!

Answers · 1

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