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Dummy

#118469 Fri, 15 Jul 05 04:22 AM

Hi,

Is it correct to say or write, "please verify if that machine works" or "please verify that machine for proper operation" ?

Thanks,

Dummy

Joined on Thu, Jul 14 2005

New Member (01)

Dehbaash

#118474 Fri, 15 Jul 05 05:03 AM

"please verify if that machine works" or "please verify that machine for proper operation" ?

"Please verify if that machine works?" is correct English.

"Please verify that machine for proper operation?" is incorrect English.

To my knowledge the usual way to ask this question is, "Please confirm if that machine is in working order/ operational."

Dehbaash

Joined on Wed, Jun 22 2005

Full Member (140)

paco2004

#118491 Fri, 15 Jul 05 06:25 AM

I usually use rather 'that'-clause than 'if'-clause for 'verify'.

"Please verify that the machine is in proper working order."
"Please verify that the machine is in proper operational condition."

paco

paco2004

Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004

Senior Member (4,095)

In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English.

Clauses

CalifJim

#118690 Sat, 16 Jul 05 07:28 AM

Please check and see if that machine is working.
Please check to see if that machine is working.
Could you please check (and see) whether that machine is working?

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,967)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

MrPedantic

#118716 Sat, 16 Jul 05 09:09 AM

How many times do I have to tell you. Stop arguing about the goddam grammar and go see if that goddam machine is working!

Jeez. Am I the only one who does any work round here?

MrPedantic

Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004

Veteran Member (12,053)

...opella forensis / adducit febris...

Grammar

CalifJim

#118980 Sun, 17 Jul 05 06:07 AM

Am I the only one who does any work round here?

Just about! (Great answer, as usual, Mr. P.) Smile [:)]

CalifJim

Dehbaash

#118987 Sun, 17 Jul 05 06:44 AM

Jeez. Am I the only one who does any work round here?

Well you should be, since you are the one leading the way. It's from you that we now know that in this forum, "goddam" can be used while a simple common name, like "D I C K", can't!

Dehbaash

Cyraxote

#119150 Sun, 17 Jul 05 09:04 PM

You should use "if" to express a condition ("You may use my lawn mower if you promise to return it") and "whether" to express alternatives ("He didn't know whether to laugh or cry").

I believe that "whether" would be 'more correct' in your example, but either would certainly be understood by a native speaker.

Cyraxote

Joined on Sun, Jul 17 2005

New Member (02)

julielai

#119223 Mon, 18 Jul 05 04:40 AM

Dear Dehbaash,

Words like D-I-C-K are automatically taken out by the forum program codes. It's really a technical issue (definitely beyond my technical abilities). If you would like to make a suggestion about this issue, please leave a message in the Comments forum. Big Smile [:D]

julielai

Joined on Sun, Oct 24 2004

Planet earth

Senior Member (3,570)

Just another blogger (http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/julie-lai)

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