Could "a sentence of more than 7 years" become "a sentence more than 7 years?"
The example Sentence is below:
(1)The eight thieves served a sentence of between 2 and 7 years
In sentence (1) the Prepositional phrase is used as object.
But it is said that this usage is very rare, so I think maybe the prep "of" is redundant, maybe I could only say
(2)The eight thieves served a sentence between 2 and 7 years
Am I right? Or maybe people usually express in another way?

Similarly, How about this sentence? Is this very common or a little weird in everyday English?
(3)Come out from behind the door.

Thank you for your help!

Question

Could "a sentence of more than 7 years" become "a sentence more than 7 years?"
The example Sentence is below:
(1)The eight thieves served a sentence of between 2 and 7 years
In sentence (1) the Prepositional phrase is used as object.
But it is said that this usage is very rare, so I think maybe the prep "of" is redundant, maybe I could only say
(2)The eight thieves served a sentence between 2 and 7 years
Am I right? Or maybe people usually express in another way?

Similarly, How about this sentence? Is this very common or a little weird in everyday English? 
(3)Come out from behind the door.

Thank you for your help!

Answer

The eight thieves all served sentences between 2 and 7 years.

Is correct, but you need to remove "a" and make sentence plural.

2. Come out from behind the door. - This is correct and common. Granted that someone is behind the door...

Answer

Both are okay but #1 sound better.  The prepositional phrase is being used as an adjective phrase describing "sentences".  It answers the question, "What kind of sentence?"

(1) The eight thieves served SENTENCES of between 2 and 7 years. (8 thieves = 8 sentences)

(2) The eight thieves served SENTENCES between 2 and 7 years.     (8 thieves = 8 sentences)

(3) Come out from behind the door.

Good sentence but it could have TWO different meanings, depending on context:
A. Someone is hiding between the open door and the wall.  (secretly hiding)
B. Open the door and come out of the room.   (locked up in a room for privacy)

Consider just saying, "Open the door, please, and come out."

Answers · 2

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