Preposition

I think it's fine, ENG-- it means 'in order to'. Maybe you are upset by the split infinitive?

EnglishNoGoodI came across this sentence in an article and I am wondering whether the use of the preposition 'to' is appropriate. Somehow, I when I read the sentence, it doesn't sound right. What says you?


One has to be a totally committed optimist to not give up before even starting.

It's fine. "In order no to..." is a very common express

Thanks MM. Ya, I'm not too comfortable with the split infinitive. I guess I'm a traditionalist.

MM, I need your help again to look at this short passage. I do not know whether this the right sub-forum to post my passage here. Anyway, would appreciate your comment.

Perhaps one of the most ambitious architectural projects ever undertaken in Melbourne, Federat

Hi ENG,

1-- A style point: amid a backdrop is a mixed metaphor, or at least it is physically impossible. Amid much controversy, etc or with a backdrop of controversy, etc.

2-- Another style point: frenetic bustle is redundant, pleonastic. The bustle of the metropolis or the frenetic activity or the metropolis.

3-- No the

Thanks MM.

Here's the revised passage:

Perhaps one of the most ambitious architectural projects ever undertaken in Melbourne, Federation Square was opened in 2002 amid much controversy and public outcry. Located in the bustle of the metropolis, Federation Square with its uniquely designed façade, which look like a scrunched up piece of paper, is an i

1-- Euuww-- I don't like that 'scrunched-up paper' part at all, style-wise. It doesn't give due respect to the rather formal passage-- or the architects. Anyway, Fed Square doesn't look 'scrunched' to me-- it looks more multi-faceted, or perhaps like a large abstract origami. Can't you find a more attractive phrase, ENG?

2-- In any case, facade is singular,

EnglishNoGoodI came across this sentence in an article and I am wondering whether the use of the preposition 'to' is appropriate. Somehow, I when I read the sentence, it doesn't sound right. What says you?


One has to be a totally committed optimist to not give up before even starting.

See here:

"Not to give up" sounds much more natural to me... Although I didn't mean to say the other possibility was wrong.

Can't find any better simile to describe the facade. Though it really looks like a piece of paper after being scrunched-up. What about a large triangular-shaped jigsaw puzzle?

Hello again, ENG. I had a look at a couple of photos of the place-- that's why I said that it didn't look 'scrunched' to me; it looks too neatly segmented.

In the meantime, however, I have thought of a better word for the same effect: crumpled. It looks like a crumpled sheet of paper would read much better-- scrunched is just too slangy.

Or, if you have ha