Idiom : Forbid X

[pawanugt]

Is this sentence Correct ?

The new contract forbids a strike by the transportation union.

In an OA, the above sentence is considered right.

I know that Forbid X to Y is idiomatic. But I am doubtful about Forbid X.

Moreover, I want to ask, can we forbid an abstract thing like a strike ? I think we forbid ... An entity / a person to do something.

Please explain.

Thanks in advance.

Regards
Pawan

[Willy]

Is this sentence Correct ?

The new contract forbids a strike by the transportation union.

In an OA, the above sentence is considered right.

I know that Forbid X to Y is idiomatic. But I am doubtful about Forbid X.

Moreover, I want to ask, can we forbid an abstract thing like a strike ? I think we forbid ... An entity / a person to do something.

Please explain.

Thanks in advance.

Regards
Pawan

I believe "Forbid X" is correct. Also, I think we can forbid abstract things.

e.g.

Environmental laws forbid alteration of the coast.

The Pakistan Government forbids the use of lipstick.

Did you find any example, where reverse is given?

[vivs.gupta]

Found an example from dictionary.com

Several countries have laws which forbid fighting for other countries

So I think forbid X is valid.

[Willy]

Found an example from dictionary.com

Several countries have laws which forbid fighting for other countries

So I think forbid X is valid.

I don't think your example is correct. On GMAT, you can't use WHICH without COMMA only exception if there is PREPOSITION before WHICH. (Even Prep+WHICH may or may not follow a COMMA)

I think here in your example THAT would make more sense.

On the other hand, use of Forbid X is correct in your example.

[tim]

i've actually had offline discussions with Ron about the "forbid" idiom specifically, and i'm not sure we ever came to an agreement on what was and wasn't acceptable. my advice to you is to err on the side of caution - don't get rid of a construction unless you're SURE it is wrong..

[Willy]

i've actually had offline discussions with Ron about the "forbid" idiom specifically, and i'm not sure we ever came to an agreement on what was and wasn't acceptable. my advice to you is to err on the side of caution - don't get rid of a construction unless you're SURE it is wrong..

Sir, so you mean the idiom (Forbid ... To) given in MGMAT SC book is not valid? Or does that idiom still holds? By the way, I see almost all the correct answer choices with "Forbid ... To"idiom.

Just asking out of curiosity what is the problem with "forbid" idiom sir?

[tim]

no, in fact i was hoping to say the exact opposite: DON'T eliminate an idiom unless you're SURE it's wrong..

[Willy]

no, in fact i was hoping to say the exact opposite: DON'T eliminate an idiom unless you're SURE it's wrong..

Thank you!

[tim]

you're welcome!

[vivs.gupta]

Found an example from dictionary.com

Several countries have laws which forbid fighting for other countries

So I think forbid X is valid.

I don't think your example is correct. On GMAT, you can't use WHICH without COMMA only exception if there is PREPOSITION before WHICH. (Even Prep+WHICH may or may not follow a COMMA)

I think here in your example THAT would make more sense.

On the other hand, use of Forbid X is correct in your example.

Hi,

in one of the SC answer's explanation OG 13 says that using 'which' without comma can't be used as a rule to eliminate answers as this rule is controversial.

[Willy]

Found an example from dictionary.com

Several countries have laws which forbid fighting for other countries

So I think forbid X is valid.

I don't think your example is correct. On GMAT, you can't use WHICH without COMMA only exception if there is PREPOSITION before WHICH. (Even Prep+WHICH may or may not follow a COMMA)

I think here in your example THAT would make more sense.

On the other hand, use of Forbid X is correct in your example.

Hi,

in one of the SC answer's explanation OG 13 says that using 'which' without comma can't be used as a rule to eliminate answers as this rule is controversial.

Can you please point out the question no. and the page no.? I would really love to read it.

[tim]

thanks Willy; let's see where vivs found that rule. BTW just because the OG says something in its SC explanations that doesn't mean it's the best way to solve (or not solve) the problem, or even that their observations are correct. if you see a "which" on the GMAT that is not preceded by a comma or preposition, eliminate the answer. please let me know if you *ever* see a GMAT problem that contradicts this rule, because i'm not aware of any..