大統領は大衆を前に演説した。

Sentence Discussions Japanese
#1
English Translation

The president addressed a large audience.

How can the を particle be used in front of 前に? Shouldn’t it be の instead?

#2

@ericaw

  1. 大統領は大衆の前に演説した = The President made a speech first, and then the ordinary people (大衆) were the second or third speakers. You cannot deduct from this sentence who the audience is. ～の前に describes a chronological timeline of two (or more than two) actions.

  2. 大統領は大衆を前に演説した = 大統領は大衆を前にして演説した = (lit.) The President put the mass audience located in front of his podium, and then made a speech. The President is the only speaker. No one gave a speech after the President did.

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