New2grammar  +  529434 Thu, 19 Jun 08 05:20 AM <Talking about the effect of flooding on the residents' financials> The impact on their crop also impact the portion of their meals. Is the sentence understandable? Thanks. New2grammar Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006 Veteran Member 7,676 Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

	Avangi  +  529436 Thu, 19 Jun 08 05:26 AM Not really.  The financial connection is obscurred.  You need to spell it out. The residents' crops are their livelihood.  When their crops are lost, they have no income, nor ability to put food on the table for their families. Is that what you're driving at?   - A. Avangi Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007 Veteran Member 8,194 ". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier

	New2grammar  +  529439 Thu, 19 Jun 08 05:34 AM Yes. That's exactly what I wanted to say. Let me put you in the context. Let's say I'm a CNN correspondent who is currently covering the flooding in a province in China. When I arrived at the affected area, I started reporting. "The swollen river has spilled over its banks and flooded this region. Crop and roads are 10 feet underwater and it seems like there's no silver lining, so to speak. Farmers are now waiting for the floodwaters to recede and have virtually no income at the moment.  The impact of flooding on their crop also impacts the portion of their meals." New2grammar

	Avangi  +  529443 Thu, 19 Jun 08 05:51 AM I find it a bit awkward.  Perhaps, "The impact of the flooding on their crops in turn impacts the size of their meals," or "the quality of their diet." Portions is a funny word.  It doesn't quite work like size.  We'd say, "They all received smaller (reduced) portions."  (plural)   We wouldn't say, "The portion of his meal was small."   -   At least, I wouldn't.  I suppose it's possible. Avangi Plurals

	Avangi  +  529448 Thu, 19 Jun 08 06:04 AM New2grammar “Hmmm. Are you saying portions is usually used in plural? ” Not really.  When it's used to describe multiple meals, or multiple diners, yes.  "They were all served smaller portions."   "Tomorrow, the portions will be reduced." Jesse James always received the largest portion of the loot.  His portion was the biggest. (Not necessarily historically accurate) Avangi Grammar, Plurals

	Avangi  +  529454 Thu, 19 Jun 08 06:19 AM You zapped my last edit.  It was something about "portion" can be a share or a part of something, but with a meal it's more like a "helping."  "I'd like another portion/helping of mashed potatoes, please."    "No, I didn't want such a large portion/helping!" Something like that. Avangi