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A copy of both sides of a card

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Latest post Tue, May 26 2009 4:53 PM by Osee. 5 replies.
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Osee  +  746115 Mon, 25 May 09 01:45 AM
I guess here "copy" means "photocopy." But I feel like it should be "copies of both sides of a card" because there are actually two piece of paper. What do you say about this? Thanks.
Osee
Joined on Mon, Jan 8 2007
Canada
Regular Member 922
Truths are hard to prove, rumors are easy to make.
Delmobile  +  746118 Mon, 25 May 09 01:53 AM
"Students must write a report on each book they read this summer."


"Please complete a ten-point inspection of all the restaurants in the county."


These make sense to me because you are asking for the same thing over and over. The whole phrase (make a copy, write a report, complete an inspection) will be multiplied for however many sides or books or restaurants there are. (There is probably a way to explain this better with grammar terminology, but I do not have that skill set.) 


If "copies" is plural, there is the possibility for confusion - how many copies do they want?




Delmobile
Joined on Wed, Jan 2 2008
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Avangi  +  748976 Tue, 26 May 09 02:45 PM
I'm with you, Del.  "Copies" would be confusing.  Besides, if it's only a card, I'd put both copies on the same sheet.


A copy of the front side and a copy of the back side.  

A copy of both sides.  Copies of both sides.  Copies of each side.


Use GG's golden rule.  Which would be easier for the reader to understand?


I want you to send me a copy of every one of those photos you showed me.


It may not be grammatical, but it's idiomatic (sez me).
Avangi
Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007
Veteran Member 8,171
". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier
Osee  +  748997 Tue, 26 May 09 03:05 PM
Thank you, Avangi. That's really the golden rule. But then about the red part, why not just say:

... a copy of those photos ...

And, regarding another example below, I guess, a copy of each side of the card  is the most clear expression? Do you think so?

Avangi
“I'm with you, Del.  "Copies" would be confusing.  Besides, if it's only a card, I'd put both copies on the same sheet.

 


A copy of the front side and a copy of the back side.  

A copy of both sides.  Copies of both sides.  Copies of each side.


Use GG's golden rule.  Which would be easier for the reader to understand?


I want you to send me a copy of every one of those photos you showed me.


It may not be grammatical, but it's idiomatic (sez me).

”

 
Osee
,
Avangi  +  749108 Tue, 26 May 09 04:30 PM
Osee
“T why not just say:

... a copy of those photos ...”

  That would work.  (Just stressing not to miss any.)


I'm not sure which other example you were questioning about.
Avangi
Osee  +  749148 Tue, 26 May 09 04:53 PM
never mind

Avangi
“
Osee
“T why not just say:

 

... a copy of those photos ...”

  That would work.  (Just stressing not to miss any.)


I'm not sure which other example you were questioning about.

”

 
Osee
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