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 Sat Mar 11, 2006 17:36 pm Trial |
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Hi Nicole, You asked:
| Quote: | Hi, on the BBC I've just heard this phrase:
... the trial has not been able to come to a verdict.
Now, how can a trial be able to do anything? Shouldn't be able to be used only in connection with persons or organizations? I mean, a trial is an event, not a person. Maybe I'm wrong? |
I agree that this sounds a bit odd and is, as we say, pushing it somewhat. The only explanation I can put on it is perhaps laziness or to give it dignity, it could be construed as a sort of figure of speech whereby the whole stands for the part. This is called synecdoche. On the whole however I'm inclined to think it's sloppy.
Alan
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Alan
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| Sun Mar 12, 2006 8:41 am From April 18 transmission ends? |
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Hi Alan, thank you very much for your explanation, I have learned yet another new word: synecdoche.
Here is another strange phrase I have just seen on BBC:
From April 18 analogue satellite transmission of BBC Europe will end.
To me this sounds strange because in my opinion something ends on a day not from a day on. So, I would substitute from with on:
On April 18 ....
Maybe, I'm missing something here?
Have a good Sunday,
Nicole
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Nicole
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Location: Bern, Switzerland
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| Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:39 am On/from |
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Hi Nicole,
This is really a difference in meaning.
| Quote: | From April 18 analogue satellite transmission of BBC Europe will end.
To me this sounds strange because in my opinion something ends on a day not from a day on. So, I would substitute from with on:
On April 18 .... |
If you say Charlie is 17 on Tuesday, you are referring to that day and nothing after that. You could then say: From Tuesday (as he will be 17) he will be able to take a driving test.
This is the case in your example because although the transmission will end on April 18th, it will no longer be in existence after that date/from that date.
Alan
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