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Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
two mixed questions
1. Should this sentence with with the phrase "top priority" be having an article, a or the, in front of it or have no article?
It is natural tht social welfare should be given top priortiy in policy decision making.
2. Can you make a question out this sentence, besides the expression "Is she French?" ?
Annie is French.
I am sorry but how should I punctuate in the situation underlined? one question mark?
It is natural tht social welfare should be given top priortiy in policy decision making.
2. Can you make a question out this sentence, besides the expression "Is she French?" ?
Annie is French.
I am sorry but how should I punctuate in the situation underlined? one question mark?
Top answer
Hi, 1. Should this sentence with with the phrase "top priority" be having an article, a or the, in front of it or have no article? It is natural that social welfare should be given top priority in policy decision making.
- Hi, 1.
- Should this sentence with with the phrase "top priority" be having an article, a or the, in front of it or have no article?
- It is natural that social welfare should be given top priority in policy decision making.
- It seems idiomatic without an article, or you could say 'the' if you want to sound specific.
- 'A' suggests that there may be several 'top priorities', whcuh dose not sound like a very precise way of speaking.
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7 Answers
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Hi,
1. Should this sentence with with the phrase "top priority" be having an article, a or the, in front of it or have no article?
It is natural that social welfare should be given top priority in policy decision making.
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To Clive:
So, the top priority is a bit higher than top priority which in turn is higher than a top priority.
Do feel so?
So, the top priority is a bit higher than top priority which in turn is higher than a top priority.
Do feel so?
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to give (something) top priority is a fixed phrase. No article.
Is Annie French?
Your punctuation is fine with me, but I'm not too fussy about punctuation.
CJ
Is Annie French?
Your punctuation is fine with me, but I'm not too fussy about punctuation.
CJ
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Doesn't anyone feel, like I do, that should is optional here?
It is natural that social welfare [should] be given top priority in policy
decision making.
It is natural that social welfare [should] be given top priority in policy
decision making.
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Re: should optional
No. After ... imperative that, yes, but not after ... natural that.
For some reason, after ... natural that I sense that the should is not a vacuous reinforcement of a subjunctive idea, but an indicative statement of advisability or expectation (i.e., a true indicative "should" or "ought"). That is, I feel the statement
No. After ... imperative that, yes, but not after ... natural that.
For some reason, after ... natural that I sense that the should is not a vacuous reinforcement of a subjunctive idea, but an indicative statement of advisability or expectation (i.e., a true indicative "should" or "ought"). That is, I feel the statement
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