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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2009Is this a correct sentence?
"Before he enters on the execution of his office" (I have read this in connection with Barack Obama's statement before he became president of USA). I read it as his office is executed before he enters the place. What is the understanding in a native speaker's ear? >"Before he enters on the execution of his office" (I have read >this in connection with Barack Obama's statement before he [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >What is the understanding in a native speaker's ear? In this case "execution" means "performance" and "office" means: A duty attaching to a person's station, position, or employment; a duty, service, or charge falling or assigned to one; a service or task to be performed; a person's business, function, or part. So, "Before he enters on the execution of his office" means "Before he starts performing his duties".  SignaturePeter Duncanson, UK (in alt.usage.english) >>"Before he enters on the execution of his office" (I have read >>this in connection with Barack Obama's statement before he [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >So, "Before he enters on the execution of his office" means "Before he starts >performing his duties". Sorry. I meant to say also that "enters on" is simply a formal way of saying "begins". SignaturePeter Duncanson, UK (in alt.usage.english) > "Before he enters on the execution of his office" (I have read > this in connection with Barack Obama's statement before he [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > What is the understanding in a native speaker's ear? The source phrase is badly muddled. The core idea is apparently Obama's taking office (i.e. being sworn in as president, I suppose.) We talk correctly about exercising the responsibilities of office, but not about executing an office. The source phrase breaks no rule of grammar but is inexact to a degree nowadays common in newspapers although 40 years ago strict editors would have noticed and correcteed it. SignatureDon Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada) >> "Before he enters on the execution of his office" (I have read >> this in connection with Barack Obama's statement before he [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >although 40 years ago strict editors would have noticed >and correcteed it. There is nothing muddled or inexact about it; it is just that it was written more than 200 years ago. 18th-century usage may be no longer current, but that does not make it wrong, and no-one is entitled to "correct" it. SignatureDon Aitken Mail to the From: address is not read. To email me, substitute "clara.co.uk" for "freeuk.com" > On Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:04:09 -0500, "Don Phillipson" > [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > - Show quoted text - It's politico-legal speak. Arne Wilstrup: >>> "Before he enters on the execution of his office" (I have read >>> this in connection with Barack Obama's statement before he >>> became president of USA). Actually it was about 6 minutes after he became president. >>> I read it as his office is executed before he enters the >>> place. I think you read it as "Before he enters, on the execution of..." But actually "enters on" is a phrasal verb here, today a rather formal one. Don Phillipson: >> The source phrase is badly muddled. Don Aitken: > There is nothing muddled or inexact about it; it is just that it was > written more than 200 years ago. ... Actually, the way it was written in 1787 was "Before he enter on..." In those days this sort of expression required a subjunctive; today it requires the indicative, "enters". SignatureMark Brader, "It is impossible. Solution follows..." Toronto, msb@vex.net -- Richard Heathfield My text in this article is in the public domain. > Arne Wilstrup: >>>> "Before he enters on the execution of his office" (I have [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > subjunctive; today > it requires the indicative, "enters". Thanx! |
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