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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Help me understand a sentence
The distribution, if not the sale, of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710.
My understand of the sentence is "The distribution of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710 and the sale of newspapers was not assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710".
Am I right? What role does if play in the phrase?
My understand of the sentence is "The distribution of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710 and the sale of newspapers was not assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710".
Am I right? What role does if play in the phrase?
Top answer
Hi, The distribution, if not the sale , of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710. My understand of the sentence is "The distribution of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710 Yes and the sale of newspapers was not assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710". No, see below.
- Hi, The distribution, if not the sale , of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710.
- My understand of the sentence is "The distribution of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710 Yes and the sale of newspapers was not assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710".
- No, see below.
- Am I right?
- What role does if play in the phrase?
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3 Answers
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Hi,
The distribution, if not the sale, of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710.
My understand of the sentence is "The distribution of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710 Yes
The distribution, if not the sale, of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710.
My understand of the sentence is "The distribution of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710 Yes
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Thank you for your reply.
This use is amazing; I've never noticed it.
Therefore, the sentence means
The distribution of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710
and the sale of newspapers was probably also assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710.
This use is amazing; I've never noticed it.
Therefore, the sentence means
The distribution of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710
and the sale of newspapers was probably also assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710.
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