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Copysnake Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Useage of "If at all" and
"But
notice that this situation is absurd, no matter what view one takes of the
lives and potentials of such babies. If the life of such an infant is worth
preserving, what does it matter if it needs a simple operation? Or, if one
thinks it better that such a baby should not live on, what difference does it
make that it happens to have an unobstructed intestinal tract? In either case,
the matter of life and death is being decided on
irrelevant grounds. It is the Down's syndrome, and not the intestines, that is
the issue. The matter should be decided, if at all,
on that basis, and not be allowed to depend on the essentially irrelevant
question of whether the intestinal tract is blocked."
from "Active and Passive Euthanasia"
by James Rachels.
1. why use "is being decided" rather than "is
decided" in the context?
2. what does "if at all" mean here?
Thank you!
notice that this situation is absurd, no matter what view one takes of the
lives and potentials of such babies. If the life of such an infant is worth
preserving, what does it matter if it needs a simple operation? Or, if one
thinks it better that such a baby should not live on, what difference does it
make that it happens to have an unobstructed intestinal tract? In either case,
the matter of life and death is being decided on
irrelevant grounds. It is the Down's syndrome, and not the intestines, that is
the issue. The matter should be decided, if at all,
on that basis, and not be allowed to depend on the essentially irrelevant
question of whether the intestinal tract is blocked."
from "Active and Passive Euthanasia"
by James Rachels.
1. why use "is being decided" rather than "is
decided" in the context?
2. what does "if at all" mean here?
Thank you!
Top answer
The use of the present progressive 'is being' creates a sense of immediacy. The reader may think that this desicion-making process is happening right now (and this, of couse, is true). 2.
- The use of the present progressive 'is being' creates a sense of immediacy.
- The reader may think that this desicion-making process is happening right now (and this, of couse, is true).
- 2.
- The matter should be decided, if (it (the matter) should be decided) at all, on that basis,....
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3 Answers
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1.The use of the present progressive 'is being' creates a sense of immediacy. The reader may think that this desicion-making process is happening right now (and this, of couse, is true).
2. The matter should be decided, if (it (the matter) should be decided) at all, on that basis,....
2. The matter should be decided, if (it (the matter) should be decided) at all, on that basis,....
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If at all - the writer is suggesting that perhaps no decision should be made.
I think that 'is being decided' is used rather than 'is decided' to highlight that the practice is present continuous.
I think that 'is being decided' is used rather than 'is decided' to highlight that the practice is present continuous.
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