1

In the following contexts, and regarding the words (forbid/forbidden) I get confused alot.Actually I looked the words up in the dictionary and I couldn't find any thing about using these words with the preposition "on". So are the the following sentences applicable using "on" or should I stick with "for".

1- I forbid smoking on/for you.

2- Smoking is forbidden on/for me.

3- It is forbidden on/for you to smoke here.

Note : I know there are different forms to make sentences using these words, but I'm just interested in the mentioned context above.

1 Answer 1

1

The first two uses of on are grammatical, but very strange. They also don't mean what you think they mean:

  1. I forbid smoking on you.
    → I forbid anybody from smoking on top of you.
  2. Smoking is forbidden on you.
    → Nobody is allowed to smoke on top of you.

The third sentence is simply ungrammatical when used with on.


More natural phrasing for each of the sentences is as follows:

  1. I forbid you to smoke.
  2. I am forbidden to smoke.
  3. You are forbidden to smoke here.

Note the change in construction and the use of the single preposition to.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .