Sunday, January 30, 2011

To declare

The word for making something known formally or officially (~을 선언하다/공표하다) is to declare. Many students incorrectly say "declare to do something." The correct expression is "to declare something " or "declare that subject verb."
  • "We need to have leaders of both parties — or Mr. Obama alone if necessary — declare that both violence and any language hinting at the acceptability of violence are out of bounds (New York Times op-ed, Jan 13, 2011)
  • Policymakers are working behind the scenes to come up with a way to let states declare bankruptcy and get out from under crushing debts, including the pensions they have promised to retired public workers (New York Times, Jan 21, 2011)
  • North Korea has declared to build up its nuclear arsenals (incorrect): the correct expression is "North Korea has declared its intention to build up nuclear arsenals"