When learning English, constructing grammatically correct sentences can sometimes be tricky. A common question many learners have is about sentence structures and the use of proper word order. In this article, we’ll address a specific sentence that might sound a bit awkward at first glance: ‘I found myself enjoying what I read the difficult book.’
Understanding the Sentence Structure
At first, the sentence ‘I found myself enjoying what I read the difficult book’ may seem confusing. The main issue lies in the word order and how the adjectives are placed. In English, word order plays a crucial role in how clearly your message is understood. Let’s break down the sentence to see where the changes should be made.
The Role of Adjectives and Word Order
In English, adjectives are typically placed before the noun they modify. In this case, the adjective ‘difficult’ is modifying ‘book.’ The proper way to structure the sentence is to place the adjective before the noun, and adjust the phrase accordingly. A more natural sentence would be: ‘I found myself enjoying the difficult book I read.’
By placing ‘difficult’ before ‘book,’ the sentence now sounds more fluid and natural. This makes the subject (‘I’), verb (‘found’), and object (‘book’) work together smoothly. It’s essential to pay attention to word order when learning a language, as it helps avoid misunderstandings and awkward phrasing.
Why the Original Sentence is Awkward
The original sentence, ‘I found myself enjoying what I read the difficult book,’ has an unnatural word order. The phrase ‘what I read the difficult book’ disrupts the sentence structure, making it difficult for native speakers to understand. The word ‘what’ is often used in relative clauses or indirect speech, but in this context, it doesn’t serve the intended purpose. Correcting this word order makes the sentence more clear and idiomatic.
Example of Correct Word Usage
Let’s look at a corrected version of the sentence in its proper context: ‘I found myself enjoying the difficult book I read.’ This structure places the adjective ‘difficult’ before the noun ‘book,’ which is the standard English structure. The sentence now clearly conveys the idea that the speaker enjoyed the book they read, even though it was difficult.
Summary: Tips for Constructing Clear Sentences
When constructing sentences in English, always consider the proper word order, especially when using adjectives. Remember, adjectives should precede the nouns they describe. By understanding and practicing this basic rule, your sentences will be much clearer and more natural to native speakers. The corrected version of the sentence, ‘I found myself enjoying the difficult book I read,’ is grammatically correct and easy to understand.
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