Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[GK]

Hello. I have some difficulty understanding this sentence. Please somebody help me. Thanks.

"Do we want robots puttering about in our kitchens, or would a mechanical arm tethered to the backsplash do the job better, without creeping us out?"

What does the phrase without creeping us out modify? The whole sentence (i.e. Without creeping us out, do we want robots ..., or would a mechanical arm ...?) or only the second clause (i.e. Do we want robots ..., or without creeping us out, would a mechanical arm ...?)

If the latter is correct, does it mean this: would a robotic arm fixed to the kitchen wall do kitchen chores better if it did not make us uncomfortable?

[CP]

It means:

Which would be less bothersome (creepy) to us, a robot roaming about the kitchen doing various chores, or a mechanical arm attached to the backsplash?

"Without creeping us out" really refers to "do the job" more than anything else.

Hope this helps.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[GK]

Thank you for your help. :)