0
Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Usage of "but"
I study for the LSAT and I ound a sentence hard to understand. Somebody please help me with the meaning of the sentence. It is as following:
The apples were not thoroughly washed after harvest but before reaching the cafeteria.
I thought the sentence above meant "The apples were not thoroughly washed after harvest but they were thooughly washed before reaching the cafeteria." However the explanation about the passage said it doesn't and it actually means they are not thoroughly washedbefore reaching the cafeteria. I think this kind of problem arises due to my improper understanding of the usage of "but". I would deeply appreciate any comments with the sentence above.
The apples were not thoroughly washed after harvest but before reaching the cafeteria.
I thought the sentence above meant "The apples were not thoroughly washed after harvest but they were thooughly washed before reaching the cafeteria." However the explanation about the passage said it doesn't and it actually means they are not thoroughly washedbefore reaching the cafeteria. I think this kind of problem arises due to my improper understanding of the usage of "but". I would deeply appreciate any comments with the sentence above.
Top answer
I would say your problem arises because the original construction is very clumsy and ambiguous as a result. I'd also guess that your understanding of "but" is probably good. I'd use "nor" where the original writer had used "but" to reduce the ambiguity that the original writer has put in.
- I would say your problem arises because the original construction is very clumsy and ambiguous as a result.
- I'd also guess that your understanding of "but" is probably good.
- I'd use "nor" where the original writer had used "but" to reduce the ambiguity that the original writer has put in.
- The apples were not thoroughly washed after harvest, nor before reaching the cafeteria.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
I would say your problem arises because the original construction is very clumsy and ambiguous as a result. I'd also guess that your understanding of "but" is probably good.
I'd use "nor" where the original writer had used "but" to reduce the ambiguity that the original writer has put in.
The apples were not thoroughly washed after harvest, nor before reaching the cafeteria
I'd use "nor" where the original writer had used "but" to reduce the ambiguity that the original writer has put in.
The apples were not thoroughly washed after harvest, nor before reaching the cafeteria
0
Related Questions