A question of grammar
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Which do you think reads better?
- "It only takes a minute!"
- "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
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.
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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.
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
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Which do you think reads better?
- "It only takes a minute!"
- "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
2 is more correct, but most people use 1.
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2 is more correct, but most people use 1.
I agree, number 2 is more gooder.
Driven to the ARMs by x86.
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Which do you think reads better?
- "It only takes a minute!"
- "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
Either way not the best pick up line :-O .
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Either way not the best pick up line :-O .
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
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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
Ah - a context! Yes, I think too best is 1.
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Either way not the best pick up line :-O .
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
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I agree, number 2 is more gooder.
Driven to the ARMs by x86.
I don't know, I'd say neither is goodest. ;P
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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
In that context, I'd definitely say 1 is the better choice.
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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
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
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In that context, I'd definitely say 1 is the better choice.
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
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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
It's funny how context makes one feel like a better choice, since they're both correct grammatically.
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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
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')
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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
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')
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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.
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
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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')
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
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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')
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.
-
Which do you think reads better?
- "It only takes a minute!"
- "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
-
Which do you think reads better?
- "It only takes a minute!"
- "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
http://faculty.washington.edu/marynell/grammar/AdverbPl.html[^] Focusing adverbs: even, only, also, mainly, just after BE verb, after auxiliary verbs, before other verbs