Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

river1974 · Joined: 20 May 2003 Posts: 525 Location: Taiwan

Dear teachers:

Five red light-emitting diodes are disposed under the five icons with a predetermined height.

Does it make sense? Thanks.

m_prime · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:37 am Post subject:

Hi River1974

The sentence works OK, although it might be better to use 'by' rather than 'with'. However with out more of the context (at least the sentences before and after) I can't tell you if it makes sense. If you can give me some more information I will try to help you further.

river1974 · Joined: 20 May 2003 Posts: 525 Location: Taiwan

Thanks m_prime. I just want to express that five red light-emitting diodes are disposed under the five icons and there is a predetermined height between them. Now I know "by" is better than "with".

m_prime · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:43 pm Post subject:

Ok but if I understand the sentence correctly you may have a problem with 'disposed'.

I think I know what you are trying to say is "five red light-emitting diodes are positioned under the five icons". Disposed is technically correct but this particular meaning of the word is very old-fashioned and is now really only used in set phrases. The modern meaning of 'disposed' is to throw away or get rid of. I think you may confuse your readers if you use it in this sentence. You would probably be better off using 'positioned' or 'arranged'.