A question of grammar
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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
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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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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
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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
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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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
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
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It's funny how context makes one feel like a better choice, since they're both correct grammatically.
But they're different semantically.
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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
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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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
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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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
3. Henry is up to the challenge.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
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Either way not the best pick up line :-O .
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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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
#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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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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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
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
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