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> is this topic still going well remember that oral and written
> communication are actually different
And what has that got to do with the price of fish?
My point (for anyone who still cares) was that there is a subtle
distinction between the way that I interpret 'then' constructions and
the way that I interpret other adverb constructions. Using pauses in
speech as an example just seemed the clearest method of trying to
explain the distinction, which is that the former is two
separate-but-related steps, but the latter is two sub-steps that
comprise a single step. Given that interpretation of 'then'
constructions it's just /odd/ to be brought up short in the middle of
them.
(Hey, someone asked whether using the 'and then' construction really
affected readability for some audiences; I was just providing a data
point.)
This distinction may be grammatically invalid, but that just opens the
door to a discussion of the relationship between grammar, language and
the communication of subtle shades of meaning.
Which is probably a discussion for a list other than this one.
Sarah Blake
(who, incidentally, is now fascinatedly wondering whether Sean really
does speak in an unpunctuated monotone.)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+sarah -dot- blake=microfocus -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+sarah -dot- blake=microfocus -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]
On
> Behalf Of Sean Brierley
> Sent: 24 September 2008 13:49
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: RE: "and then," or simply "then"?
>
> is this topic still going well remember that oral and written
> communication are actually different and if you have three choices for
a
> sentence and two are grammatically correct and one is not and all
three
> are clear concise and unambiguous and your reason for not writing the
> correct one is only that when you personally speak the sentence you
dont
> pause as much as the correct grammar would indicate to you then i
> suggest you consider your approach to writing in general for it might
be
> that none of the common underpinnings of the written language really
> work for you personally when you speak and you might just prefer to
> chuck the lot as for me im open to breaking a rule on a consistent
basis
> if i have a good reason to but you know your audience so if theyre
going
> to judge incorrect grammar in light of your speaking preferences then
go
> for it i do however recommend you be consistent in that approach
cheers
> sean
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