the first from the right on the photo

[GeneD]

Is it correct to say that Tolstoy is the first from the right on the photo? If not, what would be natural?

 

[GeneD]

Thanks, Piscean. I thought about this option but then it seemed to me Bulgakov (who is next to Tolstoy) is also relatively on the right. So there wouldn't be ambiguity about it if I simply said that Tolstoy is on the right, would there?

What about mentioned Bulgakov? How would be better to describe his position on the photo? He's the third from left to right? He's the second from the right?

 

[GeneD]

I guess it would be most natural to say "he's next to Tolstoy"

The reason I ask this is because in the situation where all four were unknown to the addressee I wouldn't know how to explain where who is on the picture. Tonight, for example, I had to use that ugly structure from post #1...

 

[probus]

Next to Tolstoy is fine if you are sure readers recognize Tolstoy. Or you can just say Bulgakov is second from the right

 

[Tarheel]

It might be best to number them from left to right.

in the picture

 

[GeneD]

It might be best to number them from left to right.

In some cases, I think, it might be, but not in the yesterday's instance where there was a sports squad of complete strangers to the people I was showing the picture, and I needed to single out only one of them. Naming them all would be too much in that situation, I think. :-D

in the picture

I wonder if there will be the time when I won't put Russian prepositions here and there. Thanks, Tarheel. Such corrections as yours definitely help to make fewer mistakes.

 

[Tarheel]

I'm not sure what you're saying, but if you're showing it to them in person you could simply point to the relevant photo.

(Say: "Such corrections as yours definitely help me ....)

 

[GeneD]

I'm not sure what you're saying, but if you're showing it to them in person you could simply point to the relevant photo.

I was showing a photo on a forum so they wouldn't have seen my finger anyway.:-D

 

[teechar]

I'm curious. Who are the rest?

 

[Tarheel]

I was showing a photo on a forum, so they wouldn't have seen my finger anyway.:-D

 

[GeneD]

I'm curious. Who are the rest?

The one on the left is Dostoevsky. Next to him is Yesenin.

 

[emsr2d2]

So, from left to right, we have Dostoevsky, Yesenin, Bulgakov and Tolstoy. Is that right? I would have recognised only Tolstoy. I shall try to remember the faces of the others. You never know what might come in useful in the picture round of a pub quiz!

 

[GeneD]

Right. Who knows: maybe you'll win a lot of money someday if you participate in some show and they ask you "who that bearded man is"?

 

[Tarheel]

Right. Who knows: maybe you'll win a lot of money someday if you participate in some show and they ask you "Who is that bearded man?"

With the quotes, phrase the sentence as indicated. Without them, you can leave it as is.