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interests / alt.usage.english / Re: a few/a small number

a few/a small number

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From: arthurvarr@gmail.com (navi)
Newsgroups: alt.usage.english
Subject: a few/a small number
Date: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 23:24:25 +0000
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by: navi - Thu, 29 Feb 2024 23:24 UTC

1) I entered the elevator. There were a few people in it and it so happened that they were all big. I could hardly fit in there.

Which of the following could be used instead of '1'?

a. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the few people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.

b. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the small number of people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.

I don't think (a) works at all. It says 'the few people', and somehow implies that the number of people was insufficient or lower than expected.

I think (b) is OK, But I am not sure. Is it? Doesn't it still imply that the number is not big enough?

Is there a better way to do it?

--
Gratefully,
Navi

Lost in the Twilight Zone of the English language
Interested in strange structures
Obsessed with ambiguity

Re: a few/a small number

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From: rich.ulrich@comcast.net (Rich Ulrich)
Newsgroups: alt.usage.english
Subject: Re: a few/a small number
Date: Fri, 01 Mar 2024 01:45:36 -0500
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by: Rich Ulrich - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 06:45 UTC

On Thu, 29 Feb 2024 23:24:25 +0000, arthurvarr@gmail.com (navi) wrote:

>1) I entered the elevator. There were a few people in it and it so happened that they were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>
>Which of the following could be used instead of '1'?
>
>
>a. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the few people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>
>
>b. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the small number of people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>
>I don't think (a) works at all. It says 'the few people', and somehow implies that the number of people was insufficient or lower than expected.

- well, lower than expected for a tight fit.

>
>I think (b) is OK, But I am not sure. Is it? Doesn't it still imply that the number is not big enough?

(a) is better than (b).

>
>Is there a better way to do it?

Use numbers.
c. I entered the elevator. It usually can carry 6 or 8 people,
but the 3 people already on it were so big I felt like I was
crowding my way on.

--
Rich Ulrich

Re: a few/a small number

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From: vpaereru-unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid (Hibou)
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Subject: Re: a few/a small number
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2024 07:03:19 +0000
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by: Hibou - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 07:03 UTC

Le 29/02/2024 à 23:24, navi a écrit :
>
> 1) I entered the elevator. There were a few people in it and it so
> happened that they were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>
> Which of the following could be used instead of '1'?
>
> a. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the few people in it were
> all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>
> b. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the small number of
> people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>
> I don't think (a) works at all. It says 'the few people', and somehow
> implies that the number of people was insufficient or lower than expected.
>
> I think (b) is OK, But I am not sure. Is it? Doesn't it still imply that
> the number is not big enough?

I think both (a) and (b) are all right¹, and that (a) is neater, though
I'd drop the final 'there'.

> Is there a better way to do it?

When the lift came, there were only a few people in it, but they were
all big. I squeezed in anyway (dismissing my disquiet as to the strength
of the cables).

¹Except that I'd say 'lift' not 'elevator'. Why use four syllables when
one will do - unless it's to fill in time waiting for the lift to
arrive? (But then, any building where the able-bodied need a lift is too
tall. But then but then, this view may be unusual; certainly, Mme Hibou
does not share my desire to climb any lighthouse, church tower, or keep
that happens to be nearby. But but but, I stray.)

Re: a few/a small number

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From: snidely.too@gmail.com (Snidely)
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Subject: Re: a few/a small number
Date: Fri, 01 Mar 2024 02:24:44 -0800
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by: Snidely - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 10:24 UTC

Hibou submitted this idea :
> Le 29/02/2024 à 23:24, navi a écrit :
>>
>> 1) I entered the elevator. There were a few people in it and it so happened
>> that they were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>> Which of the following could be used instead of '1'?
>>
>> a. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the few people in it were
>> all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>> b. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the small number of people
>> in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>> I don't think (a) works at all. It says 'the few people', and somehow
>> implies that the number of people was insufficient or lower than expected.
>>
>> I think (b) is OK, But I am not sure. Is it? Doesn't it still imply that
>> the number is not big enough?
>
> I think both (a) and (b) are all right¹, and that (a) is neater, though I'd
> drop the final 'there'.
>
>> Is there a better way to do it?
>
> When the lift came, there were only a few people in it, but they were all
> big. I squeezed in anyway (dismissing my disquiet as to the strength of the
> cables).
>
>
> ¹Except that I'd say 'lift' not 'elevator'. Why use four syllables when one
> will do - unless it's to fill in time waiting for the lift to arrive? (But
> then, any building where the able-bodied need a lift is too tall. But then
> but then, this view may be unusual; certainly, Mme Hibou does not share my
> desire to climb any lighthouse, church tower, or keep that happens to be
> nearby. But but but, I stray.)

In the US, a lift is usually at the back of a truck, or on the floor of
an auto shop ("garage" in the commercial sense).

Bub but but but you seem not inclined to the west, so that may never
cause you problem.

See also "elevator music" and "elevator speech".

/dps "third floor, linens"

--
Who, me? And what lacuna?

Re: a few/a small number

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Subject: Re: a few/a small number
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by: Hibou - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 10:48 UTC

Le 01/03/2024 à 10:24, Snidely a écrit :
> Hibou submitted this idea :
>>
>> ¹Except that I'd say 'lift' not 'elevator'. Why use four syllables
>> when one will do - unless it's to fill in time waiting for the lift to
>> arrive? (But then, any building where the able-bodied need a lift is
>> too tall. But then but then, this view may be unusual; certainly, Mme
>> Hibou does not share my desire to climb any lighthouse, church tower,
>> or keep that happens to be nearby. But but but, I stray.)
>
> In the US, a lift is usually at the back of a truck, or on the floor of
> an auto shop ("garage" in the commercial sense).
>
> Bub but but but you seem not inclined to the west, so that may never
> cause you problem. [...]

But me some buts!

I shall eventually go west (preferring stairs to lifts may delay it),
but I probably shan't go West again, it's true.

Re: a few/a small number

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Subject: Re: a few/a small number
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by: Athel Cornish-Bowden - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 10:55 UTC

On 2024-02-29 23:24:25 +0000, navi said:

> 1) I entered the elevator. There were a few people in it and it so
> happened that they were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>
> Which of the following could be used instead of '1'?

What's the point? What's wrong with"I"?
>
>
> a. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the few people in it
> were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>
>
> b. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the small number of
> people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>
> I don't think (a) works at all. It says 'the few people', and somehow
> implies that the number of people was insufficient or lower than
> expected.
>
> I think (b) is OK, But I am not sure. Is it? Doesn't it still imply
> that the number is not big enough?
>
> Is there a better way to do it?

--
Athel -- French and British, living in Marseilles for 36 years; mainly
in England until 1987.

Re: a few/a small number

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From: chris@mshome.net (Chris Elvidge)
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Subject: Re: a few/a small number
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2024 11:02:21 +0000
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by: Chris Elvidge - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 11:02 UTC

On 01/03/2024 06:45, Rich Ulrich wrote:
> On Thu, 29 Feb 2024 23:24:25 +0000, arthurvarr@gmail.com (navi) wrote:
>
>> 1) I entered the elevator. There were a few people in it and it so happened that they were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>> Which of the following could be used instead of '1'?
>>
>>
>> a. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the few people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>>
>> b. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the small number of people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>> I don't think (a) works at all. It says 'the few people', and somehow implies that the number of people was insufficient or lower than expected.
>
> - well, lower than expected for a tight fit.

What? A sleeping lion in there too?

>
>>
>> I think (b) is OK, But I am not sure. Is it? Doesn't it still imply that the number is not big enough?
>
> (a) is better than (b).
>
>>
>> Is there a better way to do it?
>
> Use numbers.
> c. I entered the elevator. It usually can carry 6 or 8 people,
> but the 3 people already on it were so big I felt like I was
> crowding my way on.
>

--
Chris Elvidge, England
I AM NOT THE NEW DALAI LAMA

Re: a few/a small number

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by: Peter Moylan - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 11:33 UTC

On 01/03/24 21:24, Snidely wrote:
>
> In the US, a lift is usually at the back of a truck, or on the floor of
> an auto shop ("garage" in the commercial sense).
>
> Bub but but but you seem not inclined to the west, so that may never
> cause you problem.
>
> See also "elevator music" and "elevator speech".
>
> /dps "third floor, linens"

Fourth floor, elevator shoes.

--
Peter Moylan http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW

lift/elevator (was: Re: a few/a small number

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by: Kerr-Mudd, John - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 11:43 UTC

On Fri, 01 Mar 2024 02:24:44 -0800
Snidely <snidely.too@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hibou submitted this idea :
[]
> >
> > ¹Except that I'd say 'lift' not 'elevator'. Why use four syllables when one
> > will do - unless it's to fill in time waiting for the lift to arrive? (But
> > then, any building where the able-bodied need a lift is too tall. But then
> > but then, this view may be unusual; certainly, Mme Hibou does not share my
> > desire to climb any lighthouse, church tower, or keep that happens to be
> > nearby. But but but, I stray.)
>
> In the US, a lift is usually at the back of a truck, or on the floor of
> an auto shop ("garage" in the commercial sense).
>
> Bub but but but you seem not inclined to the west, so that may never
> cause you problem.
>
> See also "elevator music" and "elevator speech".
>
> /dps "third floor, linens"
>

Tying 2 threads together (is that a proto-string?);

the "Television Personalities" (band) didn't have a hit with "14th floor".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_Personalities#Career

[Utube link not provided]

--
Bah, and indeed Humbug.

Re: a few/a small number

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From: jerry.friedman99@gmail.com (jerryfriedman)
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Subject: Re: a few/a small number
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2024 15:17:31 +0000
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by: jerryfriedman - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 15:17 UTC

navi wrote:

> 1) I entered the elevator. There were a few people in it and it so happened that they were all big. I could hardly fit in there.

> Which of the following could be used instead of '1'?

> a. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the few people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.

> b. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the small number of people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.

> I don't think (a) works at all. It says 'the few people', and somehow implies that the number of people was insufficient or lower than expected.

> I think (b) is OK, But I am not sure. Is it? Doesn't it still imply that the number is not big enough?

> Is there a better way to do it?

Yes, with something adversative such as "but" or "though". "There were
only a few people in it, but they were all so big I could hardly get in."

--
Jerry Friedman

Re: a few/a small number

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by: Ken Blake - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 15:52 UTC

On Thu, 29 Feb 2024 23:24:25 +0000, arthurvarr@gmail.com (navi) wrote:

All are OK, but I would probably write or say something like

Even though there were few people in the elevator, they were large. I
managed to get into it anyway.

Re: a few/a small number

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Subject: Re: a few/a small number
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by: lar3ryca - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 21:15 UTC

On 2024-03-01 01:03, Hibou wrote:
> Le 29/02/2024 à 23:24, navi a écrit :
>>
>> 1) I entered the elevator. There were a few people in it and it so
>> happened that they were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>> Which of the following could be used instead of '1'?
>>
>> a. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the few people in it
>> were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>> b. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the small number of
>> people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>> I don't think (a) works at all. It says 'the few people', and somehow
>> implies that the number of people was insufficient or lower than
>> expected.
>>
>> I think (b) is OK, But I am not sure. Is it? Doesn't it still imply
>> that the number is not big enough?
>
> I think both (a) and (b) are all right¹, and that (a) is neater, though
> I'd drop the final 'there'.
>
>> Is there a better way to do it?
>
> When the lift came, there were only a few people in it, but they were
> all big. I squeezed in anyway (dismissing my disquiet as to the strength
> of the cables).
>
>
> ¹Except that I'd say 'lift' not 'elevator'. Why use four syllables when
> one will do

We make up for it by using 'hood' instead of 'bonnet', and 'eggplant'
instead of 'aubergine,

>- unless it's to fill in time waiting for the lift to
> arrive? (But then, any building where the able-bodied need a lift is too
> tall. But then but then, this view may be unusual; certainly, Mme Hibou
> does not share my desire to climb any lighthouse, church tower, or keep
> that happens to be nearby. But but but, I stray.)
>

--
Talking about music is like dancing about architecture.
-Frank Zappa

Re: a few/a small number

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by: lar3ryca - Fri, 1 Mar 2024 21:17 UTC

On 2024-03-01 04:55, Athel Cornish-Bowden wrote:
> On 2024-02-29 23:24:25 +0000, navi said:
>
>> 1) I entered the elevator. There were a few people in it and it so
>> happened that they were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>> Which of the following could be used instead of '1'?
>
> What's the point? What's wrong with"I"?

I have a fontastic idea for you.

>> a. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the few people in it
>> were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>>
>> b. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the small number of
>> people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>
>> I don't think (a) works at all. It says 'the few people', and somehow
>> implies that the number of people was insufficient or lower than
>> expected.
>>
>> I think (b) is OK, But I am not sure. Is it? Doesn't it still imply
>> that the number is not big enough?
>>
>> Is there a better way to do it?
>
>

--
Why are there 5 syllables in the word "monosyllabic"?

Re: a few/a small number

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Subject: Re: a few/a small number
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by: Athel Cornish-Bowden - Sat, 2 Mar 2024 10:04 UTC

On 2024-03-01 21:17:44 +0000, lar3ryca said:

> On 2024-03-01 04:55, Athel Cornish-Bowden wrote:
>> On 2024-02-29 23:24:25 +0000, navi said:
>>
>>> 1) I entered the elevator. There were a few people in it and it so
>>> happened that they were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>>
>>> Which of the following could be used instead of '1'?
>>
>> What's the point? What's wrong with"I"?
>
> I have a fontastic idea for you.

Well yes. I realized too late that I had read 1 as I.
>
>>> a. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the few people in it
>>> were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>>
>>>
>>> b. I entered the elevator. It so happened that the small number of
>>> people in it were all big. I could hardly fit in there.
>>>
>>> I don't think (a) works at all. It says 'the few people', and somehow
>>> implies that the number of people was insufficient or lower than
>>> expected.
>>>
>>> I think (b) is OK, But I am not sure. Is it? Doesn't it still imply
>>> that the number is not big enough?
>>>
>>> Is there a better way to do it?

--
Athel -- French and British, living in Marseilles for 36 years; mainly
in England until 1987.

Subject	Author
a few/a small number	navi
Re: a few/a small number	Rich Ulrich
Re: a few/a small number	Chris Elvidge
Re: a few/a small number	Hibou
Re: a few/a small number	Snidely
Re: a few/a small number	Hibou
Re: a few/a small number	Peter Moylan
lift/elevator (was: Re: a few/a small number	Kerr-Mudd, John
Re: a few/a small number	lar3ryca
Re: a few/a small number	Athel Cornish-Bowden
Re: a few/a small number	lar3ryca
Re: a few/a small number	Athel Cornish-Bowden
Re: a few/a small number	jerryfriedman
Re: a few/a small number	Ken Blake