I thought it was a person's name

Question

I thought it was a person's name

I thought it was the name of a person

Are both of them correct?. Thank you.

Answer 1

Both are correct but only the first is "natural speak". The second could be seen on paper but would be much rarer in the form of natural conversation than the first.

Answer 2

Both of these phrases are equally correct. It would just be personal preference on usage.

Answer 3

Ok, and what about these?

I thought it was Claire's name?

I thought it was the name of Claire?

Same as a said above, the first is "natural speak" the second is less natural. In this case the second strikes me as just plain wrong. Your earlier sentence was 1st for natural speak and 2nd was less natural, here 1st is natural 2nd is just wrong. - jeezzle, Mar 21, 2010

I agree with both of Jeezzles' answers. - Nicole-B, Mar 21, 2010

I agee with Jeezzle. - --Mariana--, Mar 21, 2010

Answer 4

Thank you.