instruction: Is the next sentence syntactically and semantically acceptable?

We proclaimed to the public John to be a hero.

response: unacceptable

instruction: Is the next sentence syntactically and semantically acceptable?

He is reputed to be a good scholar.

response: acceptable

instruction: Is the next sentence syntactically and semantically acceptable?

I inquired could we leave early.

response: unacceptable

instruction: Is the next sentence syntactically and semantically acceptable?

Poseidon was asleep, when the executioner arrived.

response:
acceptable