My understanding is that "due" is an adjective and thus is used with a "to be" verb, as in "The cancellation was due to the rain." To use the main clause as is, you need an adverbial form: "Because of the rain, we had to cancel the picnic." This distinction is rarely made any more, it appears to me. Jane Saral On Tue, Sep 20, 2011 at 8:06 PM, John Dews-Alexander < [log in to unmask]> wrote: > Brad, you're not alone. I wondered about #4 as well. Maybe there is an > objection to using "had to"? But what is the other option in the past tense > since there is no past for "must" in modern English? I suppose "were were > forced to" but that gives a much more passive meaning. Perhaps the author > objects to fronting the adverb phrase? > > John > > > On Tue, Sep 20, 2011 at 5:56 PM, Brad Layton <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> I'm reluctant to place my ignorance on public display :) , but ... >> >> What is "incorrect" about #4? >> >> (4) Due to the rain, we had to cancel the picnic. >> >> Thanks, >> Brad Layton >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Scott Catledge <[log in to unmask]> >> To: ATEG <[log in to unmask]> >> Sent: Mon, Sep 19, 2011 7:26 pm >> Subject: 'Bad' English >> >> Trask in his *Why do Languages Change* includes (p. 10) nine sentences >> that he considered would be or shortly become >> accepted as "normal English grammar." One of the sentences (number seven) >> is strictly conversational and unlikely >> to be encountered in normal writing: I consider the other eight to have >> egregious errors. What do you think? >> >> (1) I recommend you to take the job. >> (2) He demanded that the agitators were arrested. >> (3) This is just between you and I. >> (4) Due to the rain, we had to cancel the picnic. >> (5) This paper was written by Susie and myself. >> (6) Please come between eight a.m. to six p.m. >> (7) If he'd've played, we would have won. >> (8) He makes tedious jokes about mother-in-laws. >> (9) Having said that, there is no feasible alternative. >> >> Scott Catledge >> To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface >> at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or >> leave the list" >> Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ >> To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web >> interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select >> "Join or leave the list" >> >> Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ >> > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface > at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or > leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/