Comments on: Word Inflation, or Unnatural Syntax?

By: Barry

Barry — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 20:16:55 +0000

@Sylvia She probably just Googled it. Using a corpus database is considered “scientific”, at least in linguistics.

By: naomi hamm

naomi hamm — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:40:55 +0000

I go for unatural syntax. the works and words of a professional writer would use it. the other just dismays me……

By: Sylvia

Sylvia — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:11:22 +0000

I am wondering how you do your informal research of the use of “request . . . ” and “ask me?” Do you use a corpus database?

By: Precise Edit

Precise Edit — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:27:05 +0000

Yes to all the above. Follow “request” with a noun or noun phrase: “Requested that I send . . . .”

Can we argue about using “staff” to refer to individuals, as opposed to the entire group of “staff members”? This would give us “to the staff” or “to all staff members” and not “to all staff.”

(I have a psychic vision of a “no” in my future.)

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:32:40 +0000

What about “The Deputy requested (that) I send this letter to all staff”? I’m not sure you can count an entire clause as a direct object, but it seems to fit the traditional role of “request”. Still some problems with formality, I suppose, depending on personal preference, but I think this works.

For what it’s worth, in response to Brad K., I work in an environment where this level of formality wouldn’t seem out of place, and certainly wouldn’t be seen as “butt-covering”.