grammar

[jiang]

Dear teachers,
I am sorry to bother you again. Last time I asked a question on error correction. The sentence is as follows:

Thus, how often they make eye contact and how long they sustain that contact can indicate their degree of intimacy, interest or understanding of what they are communicating verbally.

Since I got different answers I am just wondering if I should change 'or' in front of 'understanding' to 'and'.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

 

[MikeNewYork]

Dear teachers,
I am sorry to bother you again. Last time I asked a question on error correction. The sentence is as follows:

Thus, how often they make eye contact and how long they sustain that contact can indicate their degree of intimacy, interest or understanding of what they are communicating verbally.

Since I got different answers I am just wondering if I should change 'or' in front of 'understanding' to 'and'.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

I don't think it matters very much. It changes the meaning to say that the eye contact indicates the degree of all three things: intimacy, interest, and understanding.

 

[henry]

I agree with NY Mike.

In such cases I prefer using "or/and".

What do you think? :wink:

 

[MikeNewYork]

I agree with NY Mike.

In such cases I prefer using "or/and".

What do you think? :wink:

Usually it is and/or. In this case, I think that is clear even with just "or".

:wink:

 

[henry]

Thanks for correcting.

8)

 

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks for correcting.

8)

You're welcome, Henry. It was a very minor point. :wink:

 

[henry]

Thanks for correcting.

8)

You're welcome, Henry. It was a very minor point. :wink:

opcorn:

 

[jiang]

Thank you so your explanation.

Jiang

Dear teachers,
I am sorry to bother you again. Last time I asked a question on error correction. The sentence is as follows:

Thus, how often they make eye contact and how long they sustain that contact can indicate their degree of intimacy, interest or understanding of what they are communicating verbally.

Since I got different answers I am just wondering if I should change 'or' in front of 'understanding' to 'and'.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

I don't think it matters very much. It changes the meaning to say that the eye contact indicates the degree of all three things: intimacy, interest, and understanding.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Thank you so your explanation.

Jiang

You're welcome. :wink: