Can one use:
1) He slipped the coin into his pocket unnoticed by her.
instead of:
2) He slipped the coin into his pocket without her noticing it.
It seems to me that in '1', 'unnoticed by her' should be modifying a noun and not the entire clause 'he slipped the coin into his pocket'.
Gratefully,
Navi
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navi posted:It seems to me that in '1', 'unnoticed by her' should be modifying a noun and not the entire clause 'he slipped the coin into his pocket'.
Hello, Navi—I agree with your observation and do not see (1) as equivalent in meaning to (2). I understand (1) to mean that he was not noticed by her when he slipped the coin into his pocket. Here's a sentence that you can use instead of (2):
3) He slipped the coin into his pocket, unbeknownst to her.
Thank you very much, David,
Another brilliant reply from you. We have gotten used to this, of course. I have to admit that 'unbeknownst' didn't used to be a word I often used. Things have changed since I read your reply. I had definitely not thought of that solution. It is extremely elegant.
Respectfully,
Navi
