Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. A question of grammar

A question of grammar

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
questioncsharpcomtoolshelp
34 Posts 20 Posters 2 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • R Ravi Bhavnani

    Which do you think reads better?

    1. "It only takes a minute!"
    2. "It takes only a minute!"

    This isn't a homework problem. :) /ravi

    My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

    D Offline
    D Offline
    Dalek Dave
    wrote on last edited by
    #4

    Idiomatically, #1. In structured speech, #2. However, both are grammatically correct.

    ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

    S 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • R Ravi Bhavnani

      Which do you think reads better?

      1. "It only takes a minute!"
      2. "It takes only a minute!"

      This isn't a homework problem. :) /ravi

      My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

      C Offline
      C Offline
      Christian Graus
      wrote on last edited by
      #5

      I'd say #1, but if someone said #2, I would not think it wrong, or even malformed.

      Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.

      R L 2 Replies Last reply
      0
      • C Christian Graus

        I'd say #1, but if someone said #2, I would not think it wrong, or even malformed.

        Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.

        R Offline
        R Offline
        Ravi Bhavnani
        wrote on last edited by
        #6

        I keep vacillating between the two.  My initial choice and gut feeling was #1, so I'm going to go with that.  I'd better not stare at what I've written, else I'll have to change it again. :) /ravi

        My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • R Ravi Bhavnani

          Which do you think reads better?

          1. "It only takes a minute!"
          2. "It takes only a minute!"

          This isn't a homework problem. :) /ravi

          My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

          P Offline
          P Offline
          PIEBALDconsult
          wrote on last edited by
          #7

          2 is more correct, but most people use 1.

          A 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • P PIEBALDconsult

            2 is more correct, but most people use 1.

            A Offline
            A Offline
            AspDotNetDev
            wrote on last edited by
            #8

            I agree, number 2 is more gooder.

            Driven to the ARMs by x86.

            A 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • R Ravi Bhavnani

              Which do you think reads better?

              1. "It only takes a minute!"
              2. "It takes only a minute!"

              This isn't a homework problem. :) /ravi

              My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

              T Offline
              T Offline
              Tim Deveaux
              wrote on last edited by
              #9

              Either way not the best pick up line :-O .

              R N V 3 Replies Last reply
              0
              • T Tim Deveaux

                Either way not the best pick up line :-O .

                R Offline
                R Offline
                Ravi Bhavnani
                wrote on last edited by
                #10

                Agreed.  But it sure helps when you're trying to get someone to complete an online survey. :-D /ravi

                My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                T A L 3 Replies Last reply
                0
                • R Ravi Bhavnani

                  Agreed.  But it sure helps when you're trying to get someone to complete an online survey. :-D /ravi

                  My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                  T Offline
                  T Offline
                  Tim Deveaux
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #11

                  Ah - a context! Yes, I think too best is 1.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • T Tim Deveaux

                    Either way not the best pick up line :-O .

                    N Offline
                    N Offline
                    Nish Nishant
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #12

                    Tim Deveaux wrote:

                    Either way not the best pick up line:O

                    Not even in Toronto? :rolleyes:

                    Regards, Nish


                    Are you addicted to CP? If so, check this out: The Code Project Forum Analyzer : Find out how much of a life you don't have! My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com

                    R 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • A AspDotNetDev

                      I agree, number 2 is more gooder.

                      Driven to the ARMs by x86.

                      A Offline
                      A Offline
                      Albert Holguin
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #13

                      I don't know, I'd say neither is goodest. ;P

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • R Ravi Bhavnani

                        Agreed.  But it sure helps when you're trying to get someone to complete an online survey. :-D /ravi

                        My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                        A Offline
                        A Offline
                        Albert Holguin
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #14

                        In that context, I'd definitely say 1 is the better choice.

                        R 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • N Nish Nishant

                          Tim Deveaux wrote:

                          Either way not the best pick up line:O

                          Not even in Toronto? :rolleyes:

                          Regards, Nish


                          Are you addicted to CP? If so, check this out: The Code Project Forum Analyzer : Find out how much of a life you don't have! My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com

                          R Offline
                          R Offline
                          Ravi Bhavnani
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #15

                          Are you speaking from experience, my good man? :-D /ravi

                          My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                          N 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • A Albert Holguin

                            In that context, I'd definitely say 1 is the better choice.

                            R Offline
                            R Offline
                            Ravi Bhavnani
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #16

                            Thanks.  That's what I also thought. /ravi

                            My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                            A 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • R Ravi Bhavnani

                              Thanks.  That's what I also thought. /ravi

                              My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                              A Offline
                              A Offline
                              Albert Holguin
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #17

                              It's funny how context makes one feel like a better choice, since they're both correct grammatically.

                              P 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • R Ravi Bhavnani

                                There's always a wise guy. :) /ravi

                                My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                Lost User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #18

                                You mean 'Always, there is a wise guy', surely

                                MVVM# - See how I did MVVM my way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • R Ravi Bhavnani

                                  Agreed.  But it sure helps when you're trying to get someone to complete an online survey. :-D /ravi

                                  My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                                  L Offline
                                  L Offline
                                  Lost User
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #19

                                  In that case shouldn't it be It will only take a minute or it will take only a minute In either case, my vote goes with 1. as the more 'natural' sounding

                                  MVVM# - See how I did MVVM my way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                  R A 2 Replies Last reply
                                  0
                                  • C Christian Graus

                                    I'd say #1, but if someone said #2, I would not think it wrong, or even malformed.

                                    Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.

                                    L Offline
                                    L Offline
                                    Lost User
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #20

                                    Christian Graus wrote:

                                    I'd say #1, but if someone said #2, I would not think it wrong, or even malformed.

                                    OK then.....number two.

                                    Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • L Lost User

                                      In that case shouldn't it be It will only take a minute or it will take only a minute In either case, my vote goes with 1. as the more 'natural' sounding

                                      MVVM# - See how I did MVVM my way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                      R Offline
                                      R Offline
                                      Ravi Bhavnani
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #21

                                      The exact context is this sentence ("XYZ" represents the product name):

                                      You can decide which features get implemented first (and suggest new ones) by taking the brief XYZ Feature Survey.  It only takes a minute and you can change your answers at any time.

                                      I'm trying to make it easy for my users to prioritize existing feature requests (the majority of which have been submitted by them) and suggest new features. /ravi

                                      My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                                      _ 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • L Lost User

                                        In that case shouldn't it be It will only take a minute or it will take only a minute In either case, my vote goes with 1. as the more 'natural' sounding

                                        MVVM# - See how I did MVVM my way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                        A Offline
                                        A Offline
                                        AspDotNetDev
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #22

                                        Adding the "will" just emphasizes that the survey will take place in the future. Assuming the reader already knows this, it is unnecessary to add that information. Though, it does sound more natural. I think that is because "will" also denotes that something is actually going to happen rather than something that may happen. For example, one might also say "It would only take a minute." That has the same meaning, but also recognizes that the event may never take place. Since people (at least in my culture) tend to use subtle connotations to encourage others to do as they say, the "will" seems more natural (i.e., you'd expect somebody to imply that the event will take place). Basically, it seems more natural because it is of the level of assertiveness you'd expect from a friend.

                                        Driven to the ARMs by x86.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • R Ravi Bhavnani

                                          Which do you think reads better?

                                          1. "It only takes a minute!"
                                          2. "It takes only a minute!"

                                          This isn't a homework problem. :) /ravi

                                          My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                                          G Offline
                                          G Offline
                                          GlobX
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #23

                                          Adopting a programmer's mindset, no sentence is complete without the word "should" :)


                                          Typical n-tiered architecture: DB <-> Junk(0) <-> ... <-> Junk(n-1) <-> Pretty

                                          1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups