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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 12
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 12 |
I have a dilemma of semantic nature. I would love to
hear everyone's opinions. Read the following sentence:
"Our results could help STING to enhance the strengths
of the program and improve its weaknesses."
Let's focus on this part of the sentence: "improve its weaknesses." In this sense it means 'eliminate/lessen weaknesses'. It DOES NOT mean 'heighten weaknesses'.
1. Do you think the intended meaning of the sentence
comes across adequately?
2. Would you say it is flat out incorrect to use the
above mentioned phrasing?
3. Do you think there is any semantic difference
between "improve its weaknesses" and "improve on/upon
its weaknesses"? If a preposition is added (on/upon),
does that clarify the meaning of the sentence in any
way? Does it REALLY serve anything, or is it just a
'filler'?
A bet is riding on this, so I hope everyone will give
their input regarding this issue.
Thanks!
Heni
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
Hi Heni
I understand what is meant quite clearly but I would still call it incorrect. On/upon sounds correct though.
(did I win anything??)
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230 |
Would replacing "improve" with "ameliorate" be allowable?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 12
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 12 |
I would still call it incorrect. On/upon sounds correct though. (did I win anything??) But why exactly is it incorrect? And how come it is correct when you add on/upon? Doesn't it have the exact same meaning as before? When I read the two alternatives aloud to myself, they had the same meaning to me. Is it just me? I should point out that I am not a naitive speaker of English. Thanks for responding to my message, BTW! :-) Heni
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 12
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 12 |
Would replacing "improve" with "ameliorate" be allowable? I discussed this with a friend (replacing "improve"), and the best alternative that we could come up with was "amend its weaknesses." But if I absolutely want to keep "improve", is the preposition really necessary? Thanks for posting your input! :-) Heni
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 956
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 956 |
Kia ora Heni,
At first glance I read 'Lessen weaknesses' then I saw the the error, i.e.'Heighten weaknesses' so,
1. Yes, In context it would be read as intended.
2. Yes, it is incorrect.
3. Why not, 'Lessen it's weaknesses'
Are you for it being o.k.?
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
I think that "improve (upon) its weaknesses" is a weak construction in either case, although use of the prep. soounds slightly better. You want to lessen or mitigate or alleviate its weaknesses.
as to improve v. improve upon:
The difference between these two may be that in the latter you are coming up with something separate. If you improve my recipe, you modify my recipe. If you improve upon it, you are coming up with a separate recipe of your own touted to be better.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 293
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 293 |
I agree that "improve its weaknesses" is contrary to the intended meaning.
It would be better to simply state, "reduce its weaknesses".
"I am certain there is too much certainty in the world" -Michael Crichton
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 557
addict
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addict
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 557 |
I agree that it is obvious what you mean even though it's not what you say.
IMO, "improve upon" is worse than "improve". As said above, I'd say it almost means we'll come up with new and improved weaknesses.
I'd just change the word - ameliorate is a little obscure, so how about "overcome its weaknesses", "triumph over its weaknesses", etc.
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Joined: May 2005
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addict
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addict
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456 |
1. No. It is likely to be understood anyway since a literal interpretation will be dismissed as nonsense [especially by the apologist crowd (They know who they are)  ]. 2. Yes, unless the literal meaning is intended. 3. Yes. "[I]mprove on/upon" at least lends a degree of separation between the verb and object, albeit not as an adequate improvement. Agreed that "improve upon" does sound as if to imply replacement vice adjustment, but it still 'improves upon' the lame construction given.
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