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Latest post Mon, Apr 13 2009 1:15 AM by Yankee. 6 replies.
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Jackson6612  +  696574 Sat, 11 Apr 09 10:04 AM
Please correct the given text, including punctuation. What does the highlighted part mean?


Difficult question for any man to answer: To follow his dreams no matter what, or give in slowly and let life lead him where it will. The further I get, the less sure I am of anything. Who know what is good for a man in this life? And who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Joined on Wed, Dec 27 2006
Senior Member 3,688
It’s a difficult question for any man to answer… Whether to follow his dreams no matter what… Or to give in slowly and let life lead you where it will.
Yankee  +  696582 Sat, 11 Apr 09 10:55 AM
Hi Jackson


Though your text is rather philosophical (thus lending itself to sentences that might require some work for interpretation), I still find the last sentence odd/oddly worded. I don't know whether you are talking about what will come next at any given point in someone's life or whether you are referring to what happens or comes to life after a man dies. And, of course, "be after someone" can also mean "pursue someone".


In addition, you should write "Who knows".

Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006
Connecticut, USA
Veteran Member 6,409
Amy "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain
Jackson6612  +  696705 Sat, 11 Apr 09 10:14 PM
Yankee

Though your text is rather philosophical (thus lending itself to sentences that might require some work for interpretation), I still find the last sentence odd/oddly worded. I don't know whether you are talking about what will come next at any given point in someone's life or whether you are referring to what happens or comes to life after a man dies. And, of course, "be after someone" can also mean "pursue someone".


In addition, you should write "Who knows". ”



In the proper context I do believe the last sentence means what will come next at any given point in someone's life, as you have already mentioned it as one of interpretations.

I don't think you should take a certain sentence as oddly worded if it is open to multiple interpretations. Actually it is one of the qualities of good philosophical works so that we can fit our own meaning to it.

Is the given sentence correct? If it is, then are the adverbs already and accurately modifying the same verb mentioned?
As you have already accurately mentioned it as one of the interpretations.

With best wishes,
Jackson

Anonymous, 210 days ago

"..for any man to answer.."

 

that's a bit sexist, isn't it?

Yankee  +  696965 Sun, 12 Apr 09 10:12 PM
Jackson6612
“I don't think you should take a certain sentence as oddly worded if it is open to multiple interpretations.”
Hi Jackson

I strongly disagree with that. I purposely acknowledged the fact that I realized your text was rather philosophical in the hope that you would better understand just how oddly worded I found that sentence to be. To me, it only seems like a poorly written attempt at a philosophical statement.


Of course, that's only my personal and professional opinion.

Jackson6612  +  696981 Mon, 13 Apr 09 12:12 AM
Hi Amy,

Yes, of course, you are much advanced in knowledge than me and are much more fluent in English language than I will ever be. Therefore, your opinion has more merit than mine, and I respect your opinion. But the counter-questions are just for my own edification. This is the way we all learn, at least me.

By the way, what are you disagreeing with? Are you trying to say that if a sentence is open to multiple interpretations then it should be properly worded or phrased?

Please also my other questions from the previous post in this thread.

With best wishes,
Jackson
Yankee  +  696989 Mon, 13 Apr 09 01:15 AM
Hi Jackson

I was disagreeing with the fact that you seemed to be saying that it is "wrong" to view a sentence as being oddly or poorly written if the sentence is intended to be philosophical. I think philosophical sentences ought to be well-written too. Smile

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