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Andrei Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
In earnest
1) I request you to attend my letter as soon as possible, in earnest.
2) I request you to attend my letter as soon as possible in earnest.
3) I request you, in earnest, to attend my letter as soon as possible.
The context for the above is a letter sent by a client requesting about one of our products. My question is the placing of the words in earnest. Which is the correct?
Your thoughts please.
2) I request you to attend my letter as soon as possible in earnest.
3) I request you, in earnest, to attend my letter as soon as possible.
The context for the above is a letter sent by a client requesting about one of our products. My question is the placing of the words in earnest. Which is the correct?
Your thoughts please.
Top answer
Hello, Andrei The different positions of "in earnest" may change the meaning of the sentence. ", without "to". Also, "attend to my letter"; not "attend my letter".
- Hello, Andrei The different positions of "in earnest" may change the meaning of the sentence.
- ", without "to".
- Also, "attend to my letter"; not "attend my letter".
- Attend means 'to be present at' or 'to go to' when it is not followed by "to".
- Sentences #1 and #2 seem to be similar.
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4 Answers
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Hello, Andrei 
The different positions of "in earnest" may change the meaning of the sentence.
First of all, the
The different positions of "in earnest" may change the meaning of the sentence.
First of all, the
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Miriam
Thanks for the reply. It was a stupid mistake by me to write 'attend my letter'. It should be 'attend to my letter'.
Attend to something or someone means give some careful thoughts.
Well, I hope the others will comment too. I am a bit perplexed by your interpretation of the three sentences.
Thanks for the reply. It was a stupid mistake by me to write 'attend my letter'. It should be 'attend to my letter'.
Attend to something or someone means give some careful thoughts.
Well, I hope the others will comment too. I am a bit perplexed by your interpretation of the three sentences.
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I see two ways of writing this sentence that would be grammatically and stylistically acceptable:
1. I request, in earnest, that you attend to my letter as soon as possible.
2. I request that you attend to my letter as soon as possible, and in earnest.
[1] and [2] have slightly different meanings. In [1], it is the client who is earnest (in making this request). In [2],
1. I request, in earnest, that you attend to my letter as soon as possible.
2. I request that you attend to my letter as soon as possible, and in earnest.
[1] and [2] have slightly different meanings. In [1], it is the client who is earnest (in making this request). In [2],
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Dave,
I don't think I've come across "in earnest" more than a couple of times in my life.
Why do you say it's "silly"? Is it an old-fashioned expression? Does it sound a bit too pompous?
Thank you.
Miriam
I don't think I've come across "in earnest" more than a couple of times in my life.
Why do you say it's "silly"? Is it an old-fashioned expression? Does it sound a bit too pompous?
Thank you.
Miriam
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