The only way

Question

Is the following sentence correct or how can I write it better?I think the only way not to lose my English is to continue learning.Thank you!

Aperisic · Accepted Answer

BabyruthIs the following sentence correct or how can I write it better?
I think the only way not to lose my English is to continue learning.
Thank you!

It looks fine but very condensed even for English. Just to give you a hint

I think [that] the only [possible/feasible/realistic/rational] way [that can help

] not to [lose/degrade/deteriorate] my [good] English is to [continue/keep/persist in] learning [it].

Nef · Answer

BabyruthIs the following sentence correct or how can I write it better?
I think the only way not to lose my English is to continue learning.
Thank you!

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Aperisic said:

It looks fine but very condensed even for English. Just to give you a hint

I think [that] the only [possible/feasible/realistic/rational] way [that can help

] not to [lose/degrade/deteriorate] my [good] English is to [continue/keep/persist in] learning [it].

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My reaction was somewhat from Aperisic's. We both thought the sentence looked fine. But, in my opinion, "very condensed" isn't necessarily bad! "Use it or lose it" is an example of "very condensed." And, in certain circumstances, this kind of sentence can be very effective.

"I think the only way not to lose my English is to continue learning" seems natural and articulate. I like the sentence. It's the kind of sentence people can say in normal conversation, as well as write. I don't think it gains any merit from being augmented (added to).

(Maybe this is really another question of style.)

Aperisic · Answer

Nef
BabyruthIs the following sentence correct or how can I write it better?
I think the only way not to lose my English is to continue learning.
Thank you!
--------------------------

Aperisic said:

It looks fine but very condensed even for English. Just to give you a hint

I think [that] the only [possible/feasible/realistic/rational] way [that can help ] not to [lose/degrade/deteriorate] my [good] English is to [continue/keep/persist in] learning [it].

---------------------------

My reaction was somewhat from Aperisic's. We both thought the sentence looked fine. But, in my opinion, "very condensed" isn't necessarily bad! "Use it or lose it" is an example of "very condensed." And, in certain circumstances, this kind of sentence can be very effective.

"I think the only way not to lose my English is to continue learning" seems natural and articulate. I like the sentence. It's the kind of sentence people can say in normal conversation, as well as write. I don't think it gains any merit from being augmented (added to).

Sure, I agree, I just said that it is very condensed, you almost can't go any further (that is why I said even for English, the sentence looks like from the competition Make the shortest possible sentence). I just noted what extensions are possible.

The entire sentence starts with I think and then goes into condensed writing style. Very nice, but you could say as well

The only way not to lose my English is to continue learning.

If you start with I think... then the condensation was not completely in plan and I was drawn to give other options.

But, the root sentence is perfect and nothing should be changed regarding grammar and style.

The only way

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