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A question of grammar

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  • 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.

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    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

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    • 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')

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      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

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      • 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')

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        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.

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        • 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

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          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

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          • 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

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            Glenn Dawson
            wrote on last edited by
            #24

            http://faculty.washington.edu/marynell/grammar/AdverbPl.html[^] Focusing adverbs: even, only, also, mainly, just after BE verb, after auxiliary verbs, before other verbs

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            • R Ravi Bhavnani

              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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              _Damian S_
              wrote on last edited by
              #25

              Ravi Bhavnani wrote:

              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.

              That sounds fine... BTW, no thanks! ;P

              Silence is golden... but duct tape is silver!! Booger Mobile - My bright green 1964 Ford Falcon - check out the blog here!! | If you feel generous - make a donation to Camp Quality!!

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              • A Albert Holguin

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

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                PIEBALDconsult
                wrote on last edited by
                #26

                But they're different semantically.

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                • 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

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                  Roger Wright
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #27

                  Style 2 is clearly the more proper way to make the statement. But I still think it will take longer.

                  Will Rogers never met me.

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                  • 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

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                    Abhinav S
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #28

                    Wait a minute! Er, um - yeah #1 sounds better.

                    Too much of heaven can bring you underground Heaven can always turn around Too much of heaven, our life is all hell bound Heaven, the kill that makes no sound

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                    • 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

                      Sander RosselS Offline
                      Sander RosselS Offline
                      Sander Rossel
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #29

                      As some famous green guy with pointy ears would say "Take a minute, it will" :D

                      It's an OO world.

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                      • 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

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                        Pete OHanlon
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #30

                        3. Henry is up to the challenge.

                        Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads

                        My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility

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                        • T Tim Deveaux

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

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                          Vikram A Punathambekar
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #31

                          Vintage Tim! :-D

                          Cheers, विक्रम (CCC count - 6.) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:

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                          • 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

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                            Henry Minute
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #32

                            #1 for spoken #2 for written.

                            Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is.

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                            • D Dalek Dave

                              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[^]

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                              Slacker007
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #33

                              If you were not an accountant, would you have considered being an English Professor? You seem to have a genuine passion for it. Just an observation. ;)

                              ----------------------------- Just along for the ride. -----------------------------

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                              • R Ravi Bhavnani

                                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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                                Nish Nishant
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #34

                                Ravi Bhavnani wrote:

                                Are you speaking from experience, my good man?

                                As a happily married guy, I'll just keep quiet on that! :)

                                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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