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Thread: Are these sentences natural? August 16

  1. #1
    musicgold is offline Senior Member
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    Default Are these sentences natural? August 16

    Hi,

    Are the following sentences natural to a native ear?

    1. Has it ever happened to you that you were scrolling and you lost you scrolling ability.

    2. The transaction should alleviate the overhang associated with of a "large Acquisition” which would need the company to issue additional bonds.

    3. I am sorry, I think I gave a wrong message in the email ( I wanted to say that I didn’t mean what the email conveyed)

    Thanks,
    MG.

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    emsr2d2 is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: Are these sentences natural? August 16

    Quote Originally Posted by musicgold View Post
    Hi,

    Are the following sentences natural to a native ear?

    1. Has it ever happened to you that you were scrolling and you lost you scrolling ability?
    It's not bad but it could be improved: "Have you ever been scrolling and suddenly lost the ability to scroll?" I don't think "Has it ever happened to you that..." sounds very natural.

    2. The transaction should alleviate the overhang associated with of a "large Acquisition” which would need the company to issue additional bonds.
    I think there may be some technical knowledge here (which I am lacking). The sentence doesn't sound natural (and "with of" is definitely wrong) but without knowing what you were trying to say, I can't suggest another version.

    3. I am sorry, I think I gave a wrong message in the email ( I wanted to say that I didn’t mean what the email conveyed)
    I'm sorry - I may have included incorrect information in my email.

    Thanks,
    MG.
    See above. I have problems with number 2 because I don't know what it means.
    bhaisahab likes this.

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    BobK is offline Harmless drudge
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    Default Re: Are these sentences natural? August 16

    Quote Originally Posted by emsr2d2 View Post
    See above. I have problems with number 2 because I don't know what it means.
    I think maybe the problem is with 'overhang' - which doesn't mean 'hangover' although that seems to be what it is being used to mean here.

    b

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    musicgold is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Are these sentences natural? August 16

    Thanks folks.

    emsr2d2 said:
    3. I am sorry, I think I gave a wrong message in the email ( I wanted to say that I didn’t mean what the email conveyed)
    I'm sorry - I may have included incorrect information in my email.
    I am not sure but this doesn't sound natural to me. For example, I sent an email to person saying that we need to discuss a topic further over the phone and the person immediately called me. Now I want to say to the person that I didn't mean to have him call me and that I was going to call him.
    Given this context, how should I say this?

    3. I am sorry, I think I gave a wrong message in the email.
    3b. I am sorry, maybe I should have drafted the email better.
    3c. I am sorry, I didn't mean to have you call me.


    Thanks.

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    emsr2d2 is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: Are these sentences natural? August 16

    Quote Originally Posted by musicgold View Post
    Thanks folks.



    I am not sure but this doesn't sound natural to me. For example, I sent an email to person saying that we need to discuss a topic further over the phone and the person immediately called me. Now I want to say to the person that I didn't mean to have him call me and that I was going to call him.
    Given this context, how should I say this?

    3. I am sorry, I think I gave a wrong message in the email.
    3b. I am sorry, maybe I should have drafted the email better.
    3c. I am sorry, I didn't mean to have you call me.

    Thanks.
    Perhaps "I'm sorry. Although I said we needed to discuss [the topic] further, I did not mean that you needed to call me straight away. I will call you in due course about it. Thanks."
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    musicgold is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Are these sentences natural? August 16

    Thanks emsr2d2.

    Still it seems long winded. There has to be a short and efficient construction for such a common situation. Thanks though.

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    J&K Tutoring is offline Member
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    Default Re: Are these sentences natural? August 16

    Here's my take:

    1. Has been well covered by others- nothing to add.

    2. This transaction should alleviate the overhang associated with such a large acquisition which would have required the issuance of additional bonds by the company.

    3. "I want to say to the person that I didn't mean to have him call me and that I was going to call him"

    In business we typically don't worry too much about the cost of a phone call on one side or the other. If, in this case, an expensive international phone call should have been avoided, then maybe the longer message would be appropriate. If not such a big deal, then:


    Sorry I didn't make myself clear in my mail. I was going to call you.
    emsr2d2 likes this.

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