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PamQueue Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Shift Ground
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/26/us/supreme-court-weighs-states-sovereignty.html
"The Supreme Court's continuing battle over state immunity from suit in federal court shifted ground today as the justices heard arguments on whether the Constitution shields states not only from lawsuits but also from proceedings before federal agencies."
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/world/asia/16nations.html?pagewanted=print
" Mr. Bolton had insisted throughout the week that the resolution had to be adopted under Chapter VII to be binding, but on Friday night he shifted ground and said that it was mandatory that all Security Council resolutions be followed, regardless of whether the Chapter VII language were included."
I have a feeling that "shifted ground" is used differently in those two places. What should it be?
"The Supreme Court's continuing battle over state immunity from suit in federal court shifted ground today as the justices heard arguments on whether the Constitution shields states not only from lawsuits but also from proceedings before federal agencies."
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/world/asia/16nations.html?pagewanted=print
" Mr. Bolton had insisted throughout the week that the resolution had to be adopted under Chapter VII to be binding, but on Friday night he shifted ground and said that it was mandatory that all Security Council resolutions be followed, regardless of whether the Chapter VII language were included."
I have a feeling that "shifted ground" is used differently in those two places. What should it be?
Top answer
Yes, it can be, but here neither one uses the basic, physical meaning of 'change physical position'. Both refer to changing viewpoints.
- Yes, it can be, but here neither one uses the basic, physical meaning of 'change physical position'.
- Both refer to changing viewpoints.
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12 Answers
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Yes, it can be, but here neither one uses the basic, physical meaning of 'change physical position'. Both refer to changing viewpoints.
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The first example seem to suggest the shifting of the subject, and the second seems to suggest the shifting of views.
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No, the subject (the continuing battle over state immunity from suit in federal court) remains the same. The shift merely adds proceedings to lawsuits.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/15/business/coke-to-report-stock-options-as-an-expense.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
"But with corporate abuses now a major political issue and some executives having made hundreds of millions of dollars f
"But with corporate abuses now a major political issue and some executives having made hundreds of millions of dollars f
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Probably not, but there is not enough context in your quote to indicate what is being debated.
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More context:
"The Coca-Cola Company, breaking ranks with the vast majority of American companies, said yesterday that it would change its accounting so that its earnings reflect the value of the stock options it grants to executives and other employees.
That move, which will lower Coke's reported profits, is permitted but not required by accounting rules, largely because of inte
"The Coca-Cola Company, breaking ranks with the vast majority of American companies, said yesterday that it would change its accounting so that its earnings reflect the value of the stock options it grants to executives and other employees.
That move, which will lower Coke's reported profits, is permitted but not required by accounting rules, largely because of inte
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More context:
"The Coca-Cola Company, breaking ranks with the vast majority of American companies, said yesterday that it would change its accounting so that its earnings reflect the value of the stock options it grants to executives and other employees.
That move, which will lower Coke's reported profits, is permitted but not required by accounting rules, largely because of inte
"The Coca-Cola Company, breaking ranks with the vast majority of American companies, said yesterday that it would change its accounting so that its earnings reflect the value of the stock options it grants to executives and other employees.
That move, which will lower Coke's reported profits, is permitted but not required by accounting rules, largely because of inte
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What exactly does "the debate seems to have shifted ground" mean?It's not exactly crystal clear writing.
It just means that the company has changed its opinion on which accounting rules it will follow.
"shifted ground" seems to be one of those idioms that everyone knows (or at least thinks they know) but that doesn't have a formal definition. I checked severa
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