The events in Egypt

[motico]

I would like to know if the following paragraph is grammatically correct. Thank you.

At this point in time, it seems that the Egyptian regime can impose law and order on the country. Members of the security services as well as soldiers, either in uniform or in civilian clothes, were called, to the last one, to protect the regime from the anger of the masses. In several cases the security services opened fire into the protesters and some were killed. The masses did not make do only with demonstrating against Mubark and bequeathing power to his son, but expressed their anger by burning cars, breaking into businesses and destroying "indecent" street signs. Opposition parties took advantage of the demonstrations and also called on Mubarak to give up either running for another term or the transfer of the presidency to his son, Jamal.

[Gillnetter]

I would like to know if the following paragraph is grammatically correct. Thank you.

At this point in time ("At this point in time" is a study in word inflation. It serves no real purpose.), it seems that the Egyptian regime can impose law and order on the country (Is this saying that they have the capacity or the legal right?). Members of the security services, as well as soldiers, either in uniform or in civilian clothes, were called, to the last one, to protect the regime from the anger of the masses. In several cases the security services opened fire into the protesters and some protestors were killed. The masses did not make do were not only with demonstrating against Mubark and his bequeathing power to his son, but expressed their anger by burning cars, breaking into businesses and destroying "indecent" street signs. Opposition parties took advantage of the demonstrations and also called on Mubarak to give up either running for another term or the transfer of the presidency to his son, Jamal.

Gil

[motico]

Is this better?


At the moment, it seems that the Egyptian regime is successfully imposing law and order on the country.

[Gillnetter]

Is this better?


At the moment, it seems that the Egyptian regime is successfully imposing law and order on the country.

There is a hint here (at the moment) that conditions may change. They are imposing law and order now, but what about tomorrow? I believe that this is what you are trying to get at. If I am correct about this, than, "at the moment", would be a good choice.

[motico]

You are correct. The situation there is volatile although we hope it will change for the better. Thanks!

[BobK]

I would like to know if the following paragraph is grammatically correct. Thank you.

At this point in time, it seems that the Egyptian regime can impose law and order on the country. Members of the security services as well as soldiers, either in uniform or in civilian clothes, were called, to the last one, to protect the regime from the anger of the masses. In several cases the security services opened fire into the protesters and some were killed. The masses did not make do only with demonstrating against Mubark and bequeathing power to his son, but expressed their anger by burning cars, breaking into businesses and destroying "indecent" street signs. Opposition parties took advantage of the demonstrations and also called on Mubarak to give up either running for another term or the transfer of the presidency to his son, Jamal.

What is 'one'? - presumably a demonstration, but you should specify. But 'to the last one' may be meant to mean 'to the last man' (an idiom meaning 'every one of them') I can imagine people regarding a street sign as 'indecent', but only in the most unlikely of circumstances. Do you know what it means? It'd be good to aim for parallelism in the either/or expression: '...to give up either running... or transferring...'

I'm glad discussions so far have avoided any discussions of politics! But we've mostly addressed style and semantics. The grammar seems OK.

b

[motico]

I thought it was clear I meant "to the last man", but since you comment it could be misinterpreted I'll correct this.
I also wondered what the author meant in: "street signs" (the article was originally written in Hebrew). Perhaps he meant commercial advertisements or something like that.

I do not see in this passage discussion of politics. I only described a situation without analyzing it or expressing my point of view.

[BobK]

...And I praised this in the hope that future contributors might follow your lead.

'To the last one' would be possible with inanimate objects: 'He ate the biscuits - to the last one'. But when people are involved, use 'to the last man'.

b

[Gillnetter]

What is 'one'? - presumably a demonstration, but you should specify. But 'to the last one' may be meant to mean 'to the last man' (an idiom meaning 'every one of them') I can imagine people regarding a street sign as 'indecent', but only in the most unlikely of circumstances. Do you know what it means? It'd be good to aim for parallelism in the either/or expression: '...to give up either running... or transferring...'

I'm glad discussions so far have avoided any discussions of politics! But we've mostly addressed style and semantics. The grammar seems OK.

b

At this point in time, it seems that the Egyptian regime can impose law and order on the country. Members of the security services as well as soldiers, either in uniform or in civilian clothes, were called, to the last one, to protect the regime from the anger of the masses. In several cases the security services opened fire into the protesters and some were killed. The masses did not make do only with demonstrating against Mubark and bequeathing power to his son, but expressed their anger by burning cars, breaking into businesses and destroying "indecent" street signs. Opposition parties took advantage of the demonstrations and also called on Mubarak to give up either running for another term or the transfer of the presidency to his son, Jamal.

This was very clear to me - Members of the security services, ...,to the last one... - To the last member of the security services.

Not to stray in politics or religion but there are different standards in Egypt. An indecent sign could be almost any sign that contains words or pictures not allowed by the dominate religion.