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#2 (permalink) Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:32 am 'at your convenience' vs 'to your convenience' |
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The commonly used phrase to mean 'when or as (rather than 'if') it suits you' is, 'at your convenience'.
Oh, and welcome to the site, Francis! |
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Conchita Language Coach

Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2826 Location: Madrid, Spain
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#3 (permalink) Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:03 am 'at your convenience' vs 'to your convenience' |
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| Thanks for your welcome Conchita! I tend to agree with you when it comes to the commonly used phrase. However, we have a custom over here that whenever a person is invited to a social activity which involves the giving of gifts, the guest is sent a note with the invitation stating these exact words 'if it is at your convenience, monetary gifts are greatly appreciated'. Although the use of this phrase is used widely, for me it sounds funny. The proposition 'at' doesn't really seem right here. 'At your convenience could be more attributed to a time factor like saying, for example, 'when it is convenience for you' then saying whether it suits your pocket! Do you agree? |
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Berawd New Member
Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 4
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#4 (permalink) Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:39 am 'at your convenience' vs 'to your convenience' |
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I agree with your take on it -- the invitation note does sound unnatural. I'd rather say something like 'If it is convenient for you', or perhaps 'to your discretion', though the latter has a slightly different meaning and is a bit formal. The sentence could then read:
Monetary gifts are greatly appreciated and left to your discretion. |
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Conchita Language Coach

Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2826 Location: Madrid, Spain
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| Relation vs relatonship | hadn't got or didn't have? |