Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

We can't afford to make perfect the enemy of the absolutel

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
hiromichi



Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 1380

PostPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:32 am    Post subject: We can't afford to make perfect the enemy of the absolutel Reply with quote

I understand the structure of the captioned sentence is Subject+Verb+Object+Objective Complement.
One student tells me 'perfect' should be 'the perfect.' I disagree with him and think the sentence is understandable without 'the.'
I like to have your comments.


"Legislation of such magnitude deserves the scrutiny that it's received over
the last month, and it will receive more in the days to come. But we can't
afford to make perfect the enemy of the absolutely necessary. The scale and
scope of this plan is right." (Obama)
_________________
Hiromichi
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
pugachevV



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295

PostPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 1:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes the sentence is understandable the way it is. I must admit I had to read it twice before I got it, though.
I take it to mean that it is absolutely necessary we do something now. We mustn't waste too much time trying to get it perfect.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bob S.



Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal

PostPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 1:33 pm    Post subject: Re: We can't afford to make perfect the enemy of the absolu Reply with quote

hiromichi wrote:
One student tells me 'perfect' should be 'the perfect.' I disagree with him and think the sentence is understandable without 'the.'
I like to have your comments.

"Legislation of such magnitude deserves the scrutiny that it's received over
the last month, and it will receive more in the days to come. But we can't
afford to make perfect the enemy of the absolutely necessary. The scale and
scope of this plan is right." (Obama)
The original expression which Obama is referencing is:
The perfect is the enemy of the good.
So in this case, perfect is used as a noun, and as such, the definite article the refers to a peak level of perfection you aspire to. Obama is tweaking this phrase, so the becomes optional depending on what he means. Without the, he refers to a general level of perfection or near perfection. If he included the, then it would refer to a peak and impossibly high level of perfection.
So you are correct that it is not absolutely necessary (since he is twisting the original expression anyway).
_________________
"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
hiromichi



Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 1380

PostPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 3:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bob S.:
I thank you very much for your very clear answer.
_________________
Hiromichi
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group