Help with a sentence

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ESL forum > Ask for help > Help with a sentence

Help with a sentence

Help with a sentence

I need your help please because I read this so many times that I am confused.

I am reading a thesis for a friend and I have this sentence that doesn �t sound good at all
It was used existing radiographic records at the university - it�s a Dentistry university and the radiographic records were used in this study.
Can you help please?

Thanks

29 Aug 2015

ueslteacher

The sentence is definitely off.

The correct versions could run as follows:

They used the existing university radiographic records.

At the university they used the existing radiographic records.

The existing radiographic records were used at the university.

29 Aug 2015

Yes, but as it is a thesis I am not sure if it can start with "They used".

I already correct it to your last one too but would like more suggestions.

Thanks :)

29 Aug 2015

I would say:

There used to be radiographic records at the library.

29 Aug 2015

yanogator

I agree with Sophia �s last sentence, except I would omit "The".

Existing radiographic records were used at the university.

What is the original sentence in Portuguese?

Bruce

29 Aug 2015

I only got the text in English, Bruce.

It is not easy because it �s a technical text regarding partial dentures :(
Thanks

29 Aug 2015

redcamarocruiser

"Existing radiographic records at the university were used" is the best sounding sentence, as Bruce and Sophie said.

29 Aug 2015

Ok, it �s done

Thanks for your help :)

29 Aug 2015

Or �what was used were existing records at the university. � This emphasises that fact a little and keeps the passive.

30 Aug 2015