Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
suitably
English answer:
to give a suitable answer to
Added to glossary by
Cristina Mazzucchelli
May 24, 2005 13:49
19 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term
suitably
Non-PRO
English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
I think I have a doubt about the positionof the adverb in this sentence:
"We are ready to suitably answer your questions in terms of functionality, experience and flexibility."
I would put "suitably" after the verb. What do you think?
TIA
"We are ready to suitably answer your questions in terms of functionality, experience and flexibility."
I would put "suitably" after the verb. What do you think?
TIA
Responses
+8
6 mins
Selected
to give a suitable answer to
If you do not believe in split infinitives, go for alternative constructions, such as the above.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Tony M
0 min
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Thank you, Dusty. I owe you one.
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agree |
cmwilliams (X)
4 mins
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Thank you.
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agree |
Derek Gill Franßen
: This construction certainly makes more sense to me. ;-)
16 mins
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Thank you.
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agree |
SirReaL
42 mins
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Thank you, Mikhail.
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agree |
David Moore (X)
: Far better option
2 hrs
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Thank you, David. But then I see Dusty's lengthy explanation and hit myself on the head for being so laconic.
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agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
2 hrs
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Thank you, Marju.
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agree |
conejo
6 hrs
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Thank you.
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agree |
rangepost
9 hrs
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Thank you.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I wanted to split the points also...:-) But your solution sounded really nice! Thanks!"
+2
5 mins
leave it off completely
As far as its position is concerned, I think it would work either before or after the verb (or even after "questions", which would then make the most sense to me), but in reading this sentence I had ask myself what the word "suitably" is supposed to mean - I still don't know (hence my suggestion to leave it off). ;-)
+6
6 mins
'split infinitive'
What you have here is the classic example of a 'split infinitive', once deeply frowned upon, but nowadays increasingly acceptable.
However, in the sentence as it stands, it does read rather uncomfortably, but it is difficult to know where else you could position the adverb to make it any better.
For me, the real problem in the first place is the choice of this adverb; you can answer quickly / curtly / politely, but it sounds all wrong to say 'answer suitably' --- it isn't appropriate as a manner in which to answer.
I would prefer something like 'We are ready to come up with suitable answers to your questions concerning...'
It's not even quite clear what you are trying to say; do you mean that the 'we' are the ones who have the experience / fnctionality etc.? You really need to explain a bit more clearly what you're really trying to say, and then I could perhaps help you better...
However, in the sentence as it stands, it does read rather uncomfortably, but it is difficult to know where else you could position the adverb to make it any better.
For me, the real problem in the first place is the choice of this adverb; you can answer quickly / curtly / politely, but it sounds all wrong to say 'answer suitably' --- it isn't appropriate as a manner in which to answer.
I would prefer something like 'We are ready to come up with suitable answers to your questions concerning...'
It's not even quite clear what you are trying to say; do you mean that the 'we' are the ones who have the experience / fnctionality etc.? You really need to explain a bit more clearly what you're really trying to say, and then I could perhaps help you better...
Peer comment(s):
agree |
cmwilliams (X)
5 mins
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Thanks, CMW!
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agree |
Nick Lingris
: I actually owe you two agrees for the beautiful explanation.
6 mins
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Thanks, Nick! How kind...
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agree |
SirReaL
42 mins
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Spasibo, Mikhail ! :-)
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agree |
Can Altinbay
: Nice alternative. The original construction is awkward beyond the split infinitive. And what did Capt. Picard say? "...to boldly split infinitives where no one has split them before"?
1 hr
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Thanks, Can! Capt. Picard?! Who's that young upstart...? Give me Admiral Kirk anytime :-)
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agree |
David Moore (X)
2 hrs
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Thanks, David!
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agree |
Sonia Geerlings
2 hrs
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Thanks, Sonia!
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+1
2 mins
... possible, but not good style ...
It's possible how you wrote it, but it's not good style to "split the infinitive"
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Note added at 8 mins (2005-05-24 13:57:50 GMT)
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In fact, I would re-write it like this:
We are ready to provide a suitable answer ..
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Note added at 8 mins (2005-05-24 13:57:50 GMT)
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In fact, I would re-write it like this:
We are ready to provide a suitable answer ..
Discussion