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cheat off

mimi2

Senior Member
vietnam vietnamese
Hi,
Could I say like this:
“He was the one who let me cheat off his work during a math test.”
Thanks
“He was the one who let me cheat off his work during a math test.”

Well, I would totally understand what the person was saying if it was worded exactly like this.

But a better way to write it would be:

He was the one who helped me cheat, by letting me copy his work during the math test.

AngelEyes
Hi, AngelEyes.
The original sentence is the understandable sentence but no one says like this. Right?
Oh no, people do say it like your example. I don't think it's the best way or the most complete way to say it, though.

Your way sounds like he didn't cheat, but he just let you cheat.

Since he cooperated and was an "accomplice", he cheated just as much as the other person.

The way I wrote it leaves no doubt.

Still, your way is an idiomatic way of saying it. I was just giving you another option.

AngelEyes
Hi Mimi,

“He was the one who let me cheat off his work during a math test" is a correct, idiomatic sentence. Other variants are

“He was the one who let me cheat from his work during a math test.”
“He was the one who let me cheat off of his work during a math test.” (incorrect grammatically, but very commonly heard and said)
Thank you, AngelEyes and Joelline.
Joelline: Is the sentence incorrect grammatically? I can't find it. Please point it out.
Thanks.
The error (though a common one) is the use of "off of". “He was the one who let me cheat off of his work during a math test.”

Many Americans will say, "I want to get off of this bus," but the correct statement would be "I want to get off this bus."


Note: I'm sorry, Mimi. I probably shouldn't be teaching you incorrect forms, but this is one of the commonest in AE!!
Thank you, Joelline.
How interesting and helpful your explanation is!
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