As

Question

Young people believe that people, as individual or working cooperatively together, can change most aspects of the physical and social environment if they decide to do so, make appropriate plans, and get to work.About the part in bold, which is it?(1) as individual+as working cooperatively together(2) as individual+working cooperatively together

Canderson · Accepted Answer

As individual OR working cooperatively together.

Or is the key, it means either one of those two options result in young people being able to change most aspects of the physical and social environment if they concentrate on the issue. Not sure if the last part of the previous sentence is accurate; there are too many parts to this sentence to easily relate the meaning.

Where is this quote from? The last part of the sentence, make appropriate plans, and get to work really doesn't flow here...

-Chris

Taka · Answer

candersonAs individual OR working cooperatively together.

So it's #2. Just as I thought. Good.

But when it's 'as A or B', sometimes it could be 'as A or as B', depending on context, isn't it?

candersonThe last part of the sentence, make appropriate plans, and get to work really doesn't flow here...

Why not? The paragraph, from which I cited the sentence in question, has this as well.

They believe that the mature person sets goal for the future and works systematically toward them.

Aren't making appropriate plans and getting to work almost the same as working systematically toward them?

Mister Micawber · Answer

It should read 'individuals'. Other than that, the sentences seem fine.

Taka · Answer

OH, yes, of course, MM. That's my mistake. Sorry.

Could you please correct it for me (and delete this message after the correction)?

Thanks,

Mister Micawber · Answer

That would leave my incisive post meaningless.  Let's leave it; no one will think the less of you.

Canderson · Answer

Mr. Micawber is correct, it should be individuals, I neglected to point that out.

I think the idea meant to be conveyed here is that it is every individual's duty to make an effort here for the greater good. If they do so as groups that is fine. But that is why it is OR, there is no group association required to make the difference; it's up to the individual.

As for the last part of the sentence, there are an awful lot of commas that start to make confusion in the sentence. It is not that the words themselves are the problem, it is rather that there are a lot of parts of the sentence that make it a bit harder to understand than should be.

I will try to reword in another post....

Taka · Answer

How about leaving your message 'The sentences seem fine', and delete the other part?

That mistake displayed at the top of the thread is embarrassing.

I wish I could make the correction myself but I can't.

Could you please, MM?

Canderson · Answer

TakaYoung people believe that people, as individual or working cooperatively together, can change most aspects of the physical and social environment if they decide to do so, make appropriate plans, and get to work.

I suppose it makes sense. It helps to remove the part about individuals or working cooperatively together from the sentence, as follows. If you can remove it and the sentence still makes sense than that works. Please see as follows:

Young people believe that people can change most aspects of the physical and social environment if they decide to do so, make appropriate plans, and get to work.

So, I think that the best way to describe it is that the individuals do not have to be part of any cooperative group, but rather that both groups (all individuals and cooperative groups) combine to make a net effect on changing aspects of the physical and social environment of they set their minds to it.

I hope I didn't confuse too much!

-Chris

Taka · Answer

OH, canderson stepped in and mentioned that mistake as well.

It seems like the correction is now impossible.

Well, never mind, MM...

As

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions