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Post by Geoff on Jan 5, 2010 9:45:54 GMT
A friend of mine is having trouble with some electronics on his model railway, specifically, the electronics (CDUs) that activate a number of the motors that operate points/turnouts are misfiring. He sent me an e-mail regarding this problem this morning. In reply, I wrote: Just looking at the CDU circuit I find it hard to imagine that an induced signal could activate the motors. Do the wires for power to the rails run parallel, and in close proximity, to those going to the CDU, and are those parallel runs (if they exist) over a significant distance? These circumstances are the only way I could see induction being a problem. Something doesn't seem right with that last sentence: circumstances - plural
are - p[lural
way - singular Is the sentence correct? |
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Post by Dave on Jan 5, 2010 10:17:45 GMT
These circumstances are the only way I could see induction being a problem. [/blockquote] Something doesn't seem right with that last sentence: circumstances - plural
are - plural
way - singular Is the sentence correct? [/quote] Your friend more than likely will understand your meaning, but you could rephrase as This set of circumstances is the only way I could see induction being a problem (or the cause for your problem).
The only way I could see induction as being the problem is by (or under) these circumstances.
Etc. |
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Post by Pete on Jan 5, 2010 15:03:16 GMT
These circumstances are the only way I could see induction being a problem. [/blockquote] Something doesn't seem right with that last sentence: circumstances - plural
are - plural
way - singular Is the sentence correct? [/quote] Your friend more than likely will understand your meaning, but you could rephrase as This set of circumstances is the only way I could see induction being a problem (or the cause for your problem).
The only way I could see induction as being the problem is by (or under) these circumstances.
Etc. [/quote] Or these circumstances constitute the only way ... |
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Post by Geoff on Jan 5, 2010 21:35:51 GMT
By suggesting ways to recast the sentence, I guess you're saying my sentence is not correct. The more times I read it when I wrote it, the more it started to feel OK, so I let it go.
Thanks for your thoughts.
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Post by Dave on Jan 6, 2010 4:40:37 GMT
Without your asking, I wouldn't've questioned your original sentence.
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Post by Geoff on Jan 6, 2010 9:46:08 GMT
Dave,
Sometimes when you write a word, even a very common one, and you pause for a moment to look at it, it doesn't look right. You then have to grab the dictionary to check if your spelling is correct. Likewise, when you write a sentence you ask yourself if the construction is correct, when all the time there is nothing wrong. This may be one of those occasions. As I said, the more I read what I had written the more I thought it was OK. By the same token, some of the suggested alternatives do express my idea simply and devoid of any confusion.
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