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Emci-emci Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Spin Off/Out?
Dear all!
First of all, I'd like to greet everybody, since I've just registered on this terrific website!
And, of course, I've got a couple of questions to ask you
:
Which verb would fit better when describing a company that was previously a part of another company and became separate? Spin off or spin out, or any better solution? And, as a bonus, could you, please, help me with the Past simple form of verb 'spin'? Is it 'span' or 'spun'?
Which sentence is more usual for native US English speakers (considering Company A was previously a part of Company B): Company A spun (span?) off from Company B, or Company A spun (span?) out from Company B? Or, maybe, Company B span/spun off/out Company A?
I'm translating a text from Russian, and I'd highly appreciate any prompt reply!
Thank you in advance!
Maria
First of all, I'd like to greet everybody, since I've just registered on this terrific website!
And, of course, I've got a couple of questions to ask you
:Which verb would fit better when describing a company that was previously a part of another company and became separate? Spin off or spin out, or any better solution? And, as a bonus, could you, please, help me with the Past simple form of verb 'spin'? Is it 'span' or 'spun'?
Which sentence is more usual for native US English speakers (considering Company A was previously a part of Company B): Company A spun (span?) off from Company B, or Company A spun (span?) out from Company B? Or, maybe, Company B span/spun off/out Company A?
I'm translating a text from Russian, and I'd highly appreciate any prompt reply!
Thank you in advance!
Maria
Top answer
I would go with Company A is a spin-OFF of Company B. Hope this help. My first day here also.
- I would go with Company A is a spin-OFF of Company B.
- Hope this help.
- My first day here also.
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7 Answers
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I would go with
Company A is a spin-OFF of Company B. Hope this help. My first day here also.
Company A is a spin-OFF of Company B. Hope this help. My first day here also.
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Thank you very much, too!
Well, as a native speaker (I was rather seeking for a native AE, not BE speaker for the purposes of that text, though), what would you recommend? Better to use spin in Past Simple Passive Tense or a nount ('spin-off' or 'spinoff'?)?
Well, as a native speaker (I was rather seeking for a native AE, not BE speaker for the purposes of that text, though), what would you recommend? Better to use spin in Past Simple Passive Tense or a nount ('spin-off' or 'spinoff'?)?
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It is your choice to use a noun or verb.
As a verb, you can use present or past tense.
English is very flexible that way.
A company can be broken up in many different ways. The management can choose to sell off assets to raise capital. Some of the assets can be entire divisions which become independent companies. The informal term for the process is "spin off".
The US
As a verb, you can use present or past tense.
English is very flexible that way.
A company can be broken up in many different ways. The management can choose to sell off assets to raise capital. Some of the assets can be entire divisions which become independent companies. The informal term for the process is "spin off".
The US
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Ok, thank you very much.
Well, so far I know from the text (it was something like "About the company"), Company A was spun off from Company B by their mutual agreement. So, Company B was not forced to split into separate smaller companies, nor was it only Company A's initiative to become independent. It was just a decision that had helped both companies to better solve their tasks.
Well, so far I know from the text (it was something like "About the company"), Company A was spun off from Company B by their mutual agreement. So, Company B was not forced to split into separate smaller companies, nor was it only Company A's initiative to become independent. It was just a decision that had helped both companies to better solve their tasks.
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emci-emci"spin off" has a whiff of business jargon or journalese about it, but unless you're aiming for a very formal tone I think it's OK to use.
If "spin off" is an informal term, then what is the formal one?
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