In the sentence “Apparently the attention given the employees during the experiment was the major factor leading to the production gains,” you may wonder why it is ‘given the employees’ and not ‘given to the employees.’ This is a common point of confusion in English grammar. Let’s explore the difference and why the former is correct in this case.
1. The Role of ‘Given’ in English
In English, the verb ‘give’ can be used in different ways. When used in its passive form, ‘given’ can be followed by a noun without a preposition, as in ‘given the employees.’ This is a common construction when referring to something provided or granted, such as ‘the attention given the employees.’
On the other hand, using ‘given to the employees’ would also be grammatically correct in some contexts but changes the nuance of the sentence. ‘Given to’ generally implies a more direct or specific action of giving, such as handing something over.
2. Why ‘Given the employees’ Works in This Context
In this context, ‘given the employees’ functions as a way to express that the attention was directed at or provided to the employees in a broader, more general sense. It emphasizes the action or the state of being rather than the direct act of handing something over.
The use of ‘given the employees’ aligns with the passive construction that is common in descriptive sentences where the focus is on the action or effect (in this case, the attention) rather than the direct recipient of that action.
3. The Nuance of Prepositions: ‘To’ vs. ‘No Preposition’
In English, many verbs or expressions can take either a preposition or not, depending on the construction. ‘Give’ in its passive form is an example of a verb that often does not require a preposition, especially in expressions like ‘given the circumstances,’ ‘given the attention,’ or ‘given the situation.’
In contrast, ‘given to’ would typically be used in cases where something is physically handed over, such as ‘The book was given to the student.’
4. Conclusion: ‘Given the employees’ Is Correct Here
So, in the sentence ‘the attention given the employees,’ the phrase ‘given the employees’ is grammatically correct because it follows the passive construction that does not require a preposition. Using ‘given to the employees’ would change the nuance and would be less natural in this context. Understanding these subtle differences can help you navigate similar situations in English with greater ease.
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