0
Seraphin Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
does sentence (a) sound "right" to your ear ?
(a) The question seems to need to be basic enough to be appreciated by the committee
(b) the question seems basic enough to be appreciated by the committee
(c) the question needs to be basic enough to be appreciated by the committee
For me, the main problem for (a) is that the usage of "seem to need to" is wordy and sounds like a direct translation from Mandarin, which I speak. However, if I shorten the sentence into (b) or (c), neither conveys the same meaning as the original sentence. Sentence (a) suggests that "We do not know for 100% certainty if the committee ONLY likes basic questions or not, but there is a possibility (i.e. seems to) that it does appreciate basic questions". Sentence (b)
suggests that we assume the committee appreciates basic questions. Now the newly posed question is basic enough and we think it will be appreciated. Sentence (c) suggests that we know with 100% certainty that the committee is ONLY interested in basic questions.
Any help? Thanks a lot
(b) the question seems basic enough to be appreciated by the committee
(c) the question needs to be basic enough to be appreciated by the committee
For me, the main problem for (a) is that the usage of "seem to need to" is wordy and sounds like a direct translation from Mandarin, which I speak. However, if I shorten the sentence into (b) or (c), neither conveys the same meaning as the original sentence. Sentence (a) suggests that "We do not know for 100% certainty if the committee ONLY likes basic questions or not, but there is a possibility (i.e. seems to) that it does appreciate basic questions". Sentence (b)
suggests that we assume the committee appreciates basic questions. Now the newly posed question is basic enough and we think it will be appreciated. Sentence (c) suggests that we know with 100% certainty that the committee is ONLY interested in basic questions.
Any help? Thanks a lot
Top answer
Seraphin: I am confused by the verb "appreciate" which means "to admire" or "like". Perhaps you mean "consider"? Also, I am confused by the word "basic", which can take two different meanings in your context.
- Seraphin: I am confused by the verb "appreciate" which means "to admire" or "like".
- Perhaps you mean "consider"?
- Also, I am confused by the word "basic", which can take two different meanings in your context.
- The committee seems to like questions only if they are phrased in a simple manner.
- Or The committee seems to like questions only if the subject matter is simple.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
14 Answers
0
Seraphin:
I am confused by the verb "appreciate" which means "to admire" or "like". Perhaps you mean "consider"?
Also, I am confused by the word "basic", which can take two different meanings in your context.
The committee seems to like questions only if they are phrased in a simple manner.
Or
The committee seems to like questions only if the subject matter is simple.
I am confused by the verb "appreciate" which means "to admire" or "like". Perhaps you mean "consider"?
Also, I am confused by the word "basic", which can take two different meanings in your context.
The committee seems to like questions only if they are phrased in a simple manner.
Or
The committee seems to like questions only if the subject matter is simple.
00
Everything you say is true, but what is your objective? Do you wish to preserve the semantics of (a)? (It is certainly unusable as it stands.)
I have no idea of what you mean by "the question." Are you speaking about one particular question which you urgently need to get approved by the committee - or is the problem simply to get the committee to look at the question, or consider
I have no idea of what you mean by "the question." Are you speaking about one particular question which you urgently need to get approved by the committee - or is the problem simply to get the committee to look at the question, or consider
00
Thanks for the response. To clarify your confusion,
(a) the committee needs to "appreciate" the question so as to "consider" funding a research group to work on it.
(b) the word "basic" means "fundamental", as in fundamental science questions.
So to rephrase the original sentences, all three are related to the following theme:
"the committee seems to like questions
(a) the committee needs to "appreciate" the question so as to "consider" funding a research group to work on it.
(b) the word "basic" means "fundamental", as in fundamental science questions.
So to rephrase the original sentences, all three are related to the following theme:
"the committee seems to like questions
00
AlpheccaStars I am confused by the verb "appreciate" which means "to admire" or "like".Hi, A. Stars. I take "appreciate" here in its less popular but more basic meaning of to grasp the essence of a matter, or more simply, to understand it.
- A.
00
My apology for being unclear and for starting with "the question" and ending with "by the committee".
I thought the context should not matter when we analyze the grammar within.
The REAL question I am trying to get an answer to is whether or not sentence (a) sounds right to a native speaker.
Do native speakers use the phrase "seem to need to" AT ALL? If yes, even though it m
I thought the context should not matter when we analyze the grammar within.
The REAL question I am trying to get an answer to is whether or not sentence (a) sounds right to a native speaker.
Do native speakers use the phrase "seem to need to" AT ALL? If yes, even though it m
00
Although it is very convoluted, sentence (a) is OK, an example:
This tool is broken; it seems to need to be repaired quickly, before it becomes completely unusable.
This tool is broken; it seems to need to be repaired quickly, before it becomes completely unusable.
00
Sorry, I'm very tired and probably not making any sense at all.
I followed your three original versions and your analysis of their differences. It sounded like you wanted to preserve the meaning expressed in the first version. I'm quite sure that can be done effectively. I'm not sure at this point if you've confirmed that that's what you want.
Unfortunately, while the meaning is fine, th
I followed your three original versions and your analysis of their differences. It sounded like you wanted to preserve the meaning expressed in the first version. I'm quite sure that can be done effectively. I'm not sure at this point if you've confirmed that that's what you want.
Unfortunately, while the meaning is fine, th
00
Thanks a lot Avangi.
Indeed, I wanted to preserve the meaning expressed in the first version, and thus posted the question to find a more audio succinct way of saying it.
Indeed, I wanted to preserve the meaning expressed in the first version, and thus posted the question to find a more audio succinct way of saying it.
00
AvangiIndeed, I got that from the explanation.AlpheccaStars I am confused by the verb "appreciate" which means "to admire" or "like".Hi, A. Stars. I take "appreciate" here in its less popular but more basic meaning of to grasp the essence of a matter, or more simply, to understand it.
- A.
Also
00
Right, but I think the context is taking shape. It's encouraging that Seraphin was able to express what he wanted to say in Mandarin, and felt he had correctly translated it into English. The rest should be easy. - A.
0
Related Questions