I do my work as you do yours

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Marius Hancu - 31 Dec 2009 04:40 GMT

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1-I do my work as you do yours.
2-I do my work just as you do yours.
3-I do my work just like you do yours.
4-Just as you do your work, I do mine.
5-Just like you do your work, I do mine.

1, 2 and 4 could also mean:
I do my work at the same time you do yours.
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Do you think this ambiguity related to a temporal meaning really
exists? Suggestions?

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Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Mark Brader - 31 Dec 2009 12:46 GMT

Marius Hancu:

> 1-I do my work as you do yours.
> 2-I do my work just as you do yours.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> 1, 2 and 4 could also mean:
> I do my work at the same time you do yours.

True, they *could*.

> Do you think this ambiguity related to a temporal meaning really
> exists?

I think the temporal meaning is only possible if there is a specific
context to suggest it. For example:

"This will only take us 10 minutes each, you know. So here's
the plan. We wait until the boss is coming up the steps, and
you start working. I do my work as you do yours, and we both
look busy."

Even then another phrasing is more likely, and in particular I have
trouble imagining 1 being used. So really, no ambiguity in practice.

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Mark Brader, Toronto | Thus, "plain english" is the same as
msb@vex.net | "near-field spin". --Carl Ginnow

My text in this article is in the public domain.

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Marius Hancu - 31 Dec 2009 12:51 GMT

> > 1-I do my work as you do yours.
> > 2-I do my work just as you do yours.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Even then another phrasing is more likely, and in particular I have
> trouble imagining 1 being used. So really, no ambiguity in practice.

That was my idea too.

Thank you for your comments.
Marius Hancu

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / December 2009

I do my work as you do yours