it cost (for) a child to see a movie

hirashin

Sempai

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8 Apr 2004

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• 20 Jan 2016

• #1

Hello, native English speakers,
Which would be correct?
(a) How much does it cost a child to see a movie at a movie theater?
(b) How much does it cost for a child to see a movie at a movie theater?
(c) How much does it cost to see a movie for a child at a movie theater?
(d) How much does it cost to see a movie at a movie theater for a child?

Thanks in advance.

Hirashin

 

mdchachi

Moderator

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Twenty-year veteran

6 Mar 2003

9,320

9,450

• 20 Jan 2016

• #2

I like (b) most. It sounds natural and is correct. (d) has same meaning and is ok.
(a) is ok but the meaning is slightly different because in this case the child is paying for the movie.
(c) is not natural order and the meaning is less clear due to the order of the prepositional phrases.
(will the child see the movie, or will somebody see the movie on behalf of the child.)

 

S

SomeCallMeChris

先輩

Ten-year veteran

5 May 2013

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509

• 20 Jan 2016

• #3

I don't think any of them are incorrect.
I think all of them are unnatural.

"How much is a child's admission?" is the natural sentence to ask about a specific theater, or,
"How much is a child's admission at the Acme Cinema?" when specifying the theater (also applicable to any other ticket for entry entertainment).
"How much is a typical children's movie ticket?" if you want to ask about prices in general for going to see a movie.

 

WonkoTheSane

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12 May 2013

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• 20 Jan 2016

• #4

hirashin said:

Hello, native English speakers,
Which would be correct?
(a) How much does it cost a child to see a movie at a movie theater?
(b) How much does it cost for a child to see a movie at a movie theater?
(c) How much does it cost to see a movie for a child at a movie theater?
(d) How much does it cost to see a movie at a movie theater for a child?

Thanks in advance.

Hirashin

Click to expand...

a). His innocence.

b). 20 dollars.

c). It depends on your age, anyone can see a movie meant for a child but the ticket price will vary based on the age of the viewer.

d). We don't have any theaters that are only for children.

 

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

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• 25 Jan 2016

• Thread starter
• #5

Thanks, Cris, mdchachi, and Wonko. Wonko, I'm not too sure about your answers, but (b) seems to be the most usual sentence of all. Am I right?

 

WonkoTheSane

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12 May 2013

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• 25 Jan 2016

• #6

Yes, I'm terribly sorry, I gave answers as if taking the questions literally.

B is definitely the most usual.