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MUSCOVITE Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
suspect sentence
Hi,
To make video calls, you will need to connect the following to your computer: webcam, mic, and earphones.
It is a "regular" sentence (not a title/caption) taken from a certain user's guide.
I have got two questions for you.
(1) Will this sentence look any better if I put e.g."devices" immediately after "following"?
...you'll need to connect the following devices to your computer: ....
In other words, is the omission of 'devices' (or some other appropriate term) stylistically justified here?
(2) Why there are no indefinite articles before 'webcam' and 'mic'?
To make video calls, you will need to connect the following devices to your computer: a webcam, a mic, and earphones.
Your comments would be appreciated!
mus-te
To make video calls, you will need to connect the following to your computer: webcam, mic, and earphones.
It is a "regular" sentence (not a title/caption) taken from a certain user's guide.
I have got two questions for you.
(1) Will this sentence look any better if I put e.g."devices" immediately after "following"?
...you'll need to connect the following devices to your computer: ....
In other words, is the omission of 'devices' (or some other appropriate term) stylistically justified here?
(2) Why there are no indefinite articles before 'webcam' and 'mic'?
To make video calls, you will need to connect the following devices to your computer: a webcam, a mic, and earphones.
Your comments would be appreciated!
mus-te
Top answer
"devices" immediately after "following"? Yes, I think so, but it’s OK as written, also. MUSCOVITE (2) Why there are no indefinite articles before 'webcam' and 'mic'?
- "devices" immediately after "following"?
- Yes, I think so, but it’s OK as written, also.
- MUSCOVITE (2) Why there are no indefinite articles before 'webcam' and 'mic'?
- They are optional, probably because the list is so simple and short.
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5 Answers
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MUSCOVITE(1) Will this sentence look any better if I put e.g."devices" immediately after "following"?Yes, I think so, but it’s OK as written, also.
MUSCOVITE(2) Why there are no indefinite articles before 'webcam' and 'mic'?They are optional, probably because the list is so simple and short.
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Aspara GusThey are optionalThanks, Aspara Gus!
I understand there are different styles in written English. I'd like to know more about the styles that are "less strict" in terms of the use of the articles 'a'/'the'. Perhaps you can point out some interesting links?
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MUSCOVITETo make video calls, you will need to connect the following to your computer: webcam, mic, and earphones.This is a style and beauty of English.
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MUSCOVITEI understand there are different styles in written English. I'd like to know more about the styles that are "less strict" in terms of the use of the articles 'a'/'the'. Perhaps you can point out some interesting links?I’m afraid I can’t (some help I am!); I know of no such sources. This thread is now back on page #1 for now, so maybe someone w
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