laughed at/laughed

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1
  1. No one likes to be laughed at.
  2. No one likes to be laughed.
    What is the meaning difference between the two sentences?
    Thanks.
2

2 is incorrect.

3

Hi Allifathima

I just add a bit to clarify the meaning.
No one likes to be laughed at. (Laugh at someone = you laugh at someone because they did something silly/foolish, that’s why no one likes to be laughed)
No one likes to be laughed. (the meaning does not make sense, every one likes to be laughed , right ?)

4

I’m afraid that hasn’t really clarified anything.
“No one likes to be laughed” is not grammatical. It is not just the meaning that makes sense.
“Everyone likes to be laughed” does not make any grammatical sense either.
Perhaps you are thinking of this:
“Everyone likes to laugh.”

5

Except comedians? :slight_smile:

No one likes to be laughed at, but (almost) everyone likes to be laughed with.

6

It is grammar, not meaning that matters here. Look at them through this example:

A stranger laughed at me. (Active voice)
I was laughed at by a stranger. (Passive voice)
[While laugh is intransitive, laugh at is a kind of transitive here]

Your sentence means:

No one likes (others) to laugh at him/her (or them).
No one likes to be laughed at (by others).

In any case, the preposition at is important to establish the relationship with the subject.

Nevertheless, No one likes to laugh may be acceptable.

7

Hi, Allifathima!

You have already received the excellent answers from EXCELLENT teachers.
May I add two cents?

When I encountered this problem once, I seemed to have found the solution from a famous English book:

[size=150][color=red]416 passives (5): verbs with prepositions[/size]

 [b][i] 1  look at , listen to, pay for etc[/i][/b]

 The objects of prepositional verbs can become subjects in passive structures.
 
  We have looked at the plan carefully. -> The plan has been looked at carefully.
  Nobody listens to her. -> She is never listened to.
  Somebody has paid for your meal. -> Yor meal has been paid for.
 
   Note the word order. [u]The preposition cannot be dropped[/u]*.

 I don't like to be shouted at. ([b]NOT[/b] I don't like to be shouted.)

(* underline itself is mine, for I’d like to call your attention) :slight_smile:

[size=150][color=red]452 Prepositions (5): at the ends of clauses:[/size]

 [i][b]4 passives[/b][/i]

In passive structures, prepositions go with their verbs.

She likes [i]to be looked at[/i].
I don't know where he is - his bed [i]hasn't been slept in[/i].
Carol [i]was operated on[/i] last night.

Source: Practical English Usage, M.Swan (3-rd edition, pages 390/435)

 Thanks.
8

In both grammar and meaning, 2 is incorrect, as Foreigner has explained in detail.

9

Thanks, Foreigner, for having gone through what I have said.

10

LOL!

11

Thanks Foreigner and Bee for your clarification. I have learnt a new grammar point.
The funny thing is I have the book Practical English Usage, M.Swan and also finished reading it long time ago. Now I remember nothing :slight_smile:
Hi, Allifathima! Sorry for misleading you.