New2grammar  +  544490 Mon, 21 Jul 08 02:49 PM The fundraising starts today for five weeks except Mondays and Fridays. Booths are open 8 to 10am, 12 to 2 pm and 4 to 6 pm. On Saturdays, some booths are not open and the operating hours are 2 to 6 pm. Is the above natural? Thanks. New2grammar Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006 Veteran Member 7,676 Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

	Grammar Geek  +  544492 Mon, 21 Jul 08 02:53 PM starts today and runs daily for five weeks, It's a LOT of information. A chart or bullet list would be better. Sunday: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., noon to 2 p.m., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday: Closed Tuesday: etc   Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,683 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Clive  +  544498 Mon, 21 Jul 08 02:57 PM HI, The fundraising starts today for five weeks, excluding Mondays and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, booths are open 8 to 10 am, 12 to 2 pm and 4 to 6 pm. On Saturdays, some are not open and the hours are 2 to 6 pm. I've assumed that they are not open on Sundays. Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,676 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

	New2grammar  +  544500 Mon, 21 Jul 08 02:57 PM How would you read the chart, GG? Imagine someone is asking you about the fundraising over the phone. Which is more natural to say, sentences like mine or points as you've suggested? New2grammar

	Grammar Geek  +  544502 Mon, 21 Jul 08 02:59 PM Over the phone? I'd group the days that have the same hours: On Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thurdsays, the booth is open from.... On Saturdays, it's open from.... It's closed on Mondays and Fridays. Grammar Geek

	New2grammar  +  544510 Mon, 21 Jul 08 03:05 PM Clive, I see that you specifically mentioned the days of the week. Is that really necessary? This could be surprising to some people but Sundays are work days for some states in my country. Also, what's the difference between excluding and except? I don't see any problem with except. New2grammar Difference Between

	Clive  +  544520 Mon, 21 Jul 08 03:27 PM Hi, Clive, I see that you specifically mentioned the days of the week. Is that really necessary?As GG pointed out, the exceptions involve various days of the week, so you need to mention them. This could be surprising to some people but Sundays are work days for some states in my country.OK, so Sundays are not an exception. Also, what's the difference between excluding and except? I don't see any problem with except. I would use 'except' in a case where you have already mentioned the 'units' involved. In "long form", here are a couple of illustrations. eg the students all understood except the student from India. eg the booths are open every day except these days. In addition, your sentence is awkward because you are mixing in one sentence the two ideas of 'starts from today' and 'here are the days the fund-raising occurs'.  Clive Clive Difference Between

	Clive  +  544534 Mon, 21 Jul 08 03:43 PM Hi again, In addition, your sentence is awkward because you are mixing in one sentence the two ideas of 'starts from today' and 'here are the days the fund-raising occurs'.  Could you expand on this please? I don't see why it's not possible to combine them. It's possible, but when I read your sentence I have to pause for a moment to separate in my mind the two ideas. In my opinion, a more natural way to say it would be The fundraising starts today and runs for five weeks, excluding Mondays and Fridays. Best wishes, Clive Clive