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Author Topic: Seeking clarification  (Read 14691 times)
vagarh
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« Reply #30 on: February 19, 2008, 12:36:32 PM »
Quote from: acrimone on February 19, 2008, 12:13:39 PM
I think you're close. 

It's really the definite article in the phrase "the desirability" that's causing havoc, isn't it?

Yeah, but that might just be a function of the English language. The definite article doesn't always work well when you modify its noun with another adjective. Like 'intelligence is the manifestation of intellectual ability' --> 'He showed great intelligence in...' -->  'He showed great the manifestation of / the great manifestation of'

Sometimes you gotta drop teh 'the'.
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vagarh
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« Reply #31 on: February 19, 2008, 12:38:09 PM »
Quote from: sockgumbee on February 19, 2008, 12:22:54 PM
However, perhaps you could say that "The individual differences within our student body are desirable and valuable, even as we recognize social constructions of  . . . <head nod to Acrimone and Vagarh>

Even better. It is a terrible sentence, as written.
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sockgumbee
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« Reply #32 on: February 19, 2008, 01:29:51 PM »
Quote from: vagarh on February 19, 2008, 12:38:09 PM
Quote from: sockgumbee on February 19, 2008, 12:22:54 PM
However, perhaps you could say that "The individual differences within our student body are desirable and valuable, even as we recognize social constructions of  . . . <head nod to Acrimone and Vagarh>

Even better. It is a terrible sentence, as written.

Yeah, hard to get away from passive construction. Also the English language and USA cultural ideology does not lean itself to concepts which are both singular--student body and plural--individual differences within. Which is why, I'm finding out that some younger people call themselves mutts--regardless of their ethnic/cultural background--so they can be singular rather then plural in and of themselves. "Plurality for me? No, thank you." As other poster on another thread shows it's easier to be a mutt or blend into the 'Norm' if your skin and features are light.
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"How come they didn't name Pluto's moon Goofy?"
beacon1
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« Reply #33 on: February 19, 2008, 10:11:37 PM »
urggg... You guys dissect the grammer, meanwhile the content verges on being completely detached from reality.

"I am the eggman, I am the walrus koo koo kachoo..."
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mountain_ivy
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« Reply #34 on: February 20, 2008, 10:36:51 AM »
Quote from: beacon1 on February 19, 2008, 10:11:37 PM
urggg... You guys dissect the grammer, meanwhile the content verges on being completely detached from reality.

"I am the eggman, I am the walrus koo koo kachoo..."

But grammar does matter, as if shapes and forms content.  The Second Amendment is an example:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

OR

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

I think version 2 better supports gun ownership; version 1 is more open to interpretation.

Another example:

Aunt Miranda died and left $3 million to Joe, Sandra, and Mary.

OR

Aunt Miranda died and left $3 to Joe, Sandra and Mary.

Under the second version, if I were Joe, I'd take the position that I received one-half of the $3, rather than merely 1/3.
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I run with scissors.
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