not in a suit

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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azz
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not in a suit

Post by azz »

a. I talked to the man not in a suit.
b. I talked to a man not in a suit.

c. I have never seen that man not in a suit.
d. I have never seen a man not in a suit in our offices.


Are the above sentences grammatically correct?
Can the be used in formal English?
How about informal English?

Many thanks
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Alan
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Re: not in a suit

Post by Alan »

Only #3 is fully acceptable as written.

As regards the others, you need to insert 'who is/was' before 'not in a suit'. (Essentially the rule is simple: if 'who is/was' etc. can be inserted, it is necessary!)
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