been + to

raisingfink   Wednesday, February 04, 2004, 01:27 GMT
My student wrote "...wrote a letter but has not been replied." I added the "to" at the end. Is that all right? Without it sounds like the sentence dangles somewhat.
Jim   Wednesday, February 04, 2004, 01:43 GMT
I think so too. You don't reply a letter.
raisingfink   Wednesday, February 04, 2004, 01:51 GMT
tq
Elaine   Wednesday, February 04, 2004, 06:04 GMT
I think it would've sounded better if it were written as "I (or he/she) wrote a letter but I have (he/she has) not received a reply."

or "...wrote a letter but it has not been answered." "Replied" just doesn't sound right.
raisingfink   Wednesday, February 04, 2004, 08:59 GMT
Yes, Elaine. I agree that "I wrote a letter but I have not received a reply" is the best. But, I am still wondering if my student's version is acceptable. Is it grammatically wrong or just a case of bad writing style?
Alice   Wednesday, February 04, 2004, 16:31 GMT
You probably shouldn't end a sentence with "to", but without it, the statement is incomplete It shoud read, "I wrote a letter, to which there has been no reply."
raisingfink   Wednesday, February 04, 2004, 23:52 GMT
Thanks