posthumous

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1
  1. He was awarded the prize posthumously(=after death).
  2. Th posthumous award to him was received by his wife.
  3. He is the posthumous child to his father since he was born after the death of his father.
    Please correct the above sentences.
    Thanks.
2
  1. He was awarded the prize posthumously. (Acceptable).
  2. The posthumous award was received by his wife. (Acceptable)
  3. He is the (a) posthumous child.(Acceptable as this itself conveys the meaning. The original is quite redundant)
3

I would have a problem accepting 3 as correct in both the forms given above. We just don’t refer to someone in that way. You both make it sound as if the child died before he was born!

4

No, there need not be any problem. The OUP dictionary defines a posthumous child as one born after the death of its father.

5

Clearly ’ a posthumous child ’ is correct but the trouble is that ‘posthumous’ is more commonly associated with things such as awards,honours, prizes and so on. That is why it strikes as odd when used to describe humans.

6

I see. But, does the sentence really ‘sound as if the child died before he was born’ as observed by Bev?