Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[river1974]

Dear teachers:

*In this situation*, it is suggested to amend the specification in an appropriate degree for clearly expressing the technical features of the present invention.

Are there any other substitutes for "in this situation"? I could only think of "under such circumstance."

Thanks.

[bud]

Your suggestion would work, but you need the plural: circumstances. Another variation is "under these circumstances." All three are very common.

[asterix]

What does that actually mean?

Do you mean, "If that happens, we suggest you change the specification to conform to the invention's technical features"?

[river1974]

Sorry for not providing enough context. It means, "Since the original description of the specification is not accepted by the Examiner, we suggest you change it a little bit to confirm to the invention's technical features." By the way, my boss thinks that "it is suggested" is more formal than "we suggest," so I seldom write "we suggest" in a letter.

[pugachevV]

Often when we try to be formal, we use big words, and complicate the issue. I think you should use the simplest and shortest words to explain technical stuff. There are enough arcane, big words in technology as it is.