‘Her elder daughter, in/on whom she placed the greatest confidence, failed to match her expectations.’
What is the correct preposition here in this sentence?
Thanks.
in
Fathima, being foreign users of the English language we need to learn by heart the words that take sort of ready-made prepositions like these ones: accuse of, charge with, tell from, rely on, interested in, good at etc etc.
tell from, tell of
rely on, rely in
There are choices you don’t appear to have considered.
Your examples don’t match the structure of the original either, so aren’t that helpful. Perhaps you should have mentioned ‘have confidence in’
Bev, what about good in? I think this is also as natural as good at? Aren’t these the same?
She is good in math(s).
She is good at math(s).
Tom
[color=red]Please don’t dictate terms. In most of what you say I can suggest too many lapses of this nature. It all depends on how one looks at things. First you realize that foreign users cannot always relish the style of English native users may adopt. Usage in any language is often specific to the region, vernacular and culture. There are a lot of things you need to take into account. Let’s therefore not enter into avoidable dialogues.
Look a little more carefully at your argument!
Are you really trying to say that second language speakers of English aren’t capable of speaking clear, natural English? Because that is how you come across with comments like those.
It is, of course, utter nonsense.
Some second language speakers of English are capable of speaking more eloquently and naturally than first language users. But they don’t do it by limiting themselves to rules which don’t even apply.
You seem to also ignore the fact that this is a public area and your comments might influence others, not just the original poster.
Hi Tom,
Yes, you can also use ‘in’ with ‘good’ and though the context and nuance is slightly different (‘in’ in the example you provide would most likely be used during a comparison of her ability in a number of subjects) it is just as valid.
Dear Bev, look a little more carefully at my argument again! Now my comments:
They ARE capable. I never tried and wouldn’t ever try that because I am not an authority to say so.
You have realized it. Good!
This is, of course, utter nonsense, because I addressed it to the poster. So what otherwise? And, by the way, what is wrong in what I said? They are CORRECT. I do not want to confuse a user by saying what is not relevant in general, and what they may not have even thought of. Go through your own replies in the recent past and you will regret having strayed away from the central theme of the question. Be tolerant. Everybody has their own views. Let them express without fear of you coming with a cane in hand. Gone are those days, Bev. What are you, after all? Only a language user! (I feel sorry about your two-letter answer having led me to talk to you so much. I’ve been avoiding it. Please do not kindle it. Thanks, however, for hearing me. (As usual with you, LUSH!)
I’d like to know the contextual usage with more certainty. Why don’t you exemplify it clearly?
Did you actually read the bracketed sentence?
LOL! Aren’t we all?