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ABC symbol/symbol ABC

English translation: it depends

14:20 Jun 28, 2005
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Linguistics
English term or phrase: ABC symbol/symbol ABC
Xxxx Inc. is a public corporation whose shares are listed in the Toronto Stock Exchange "under the ABC symbol/under the symbol ABC".

I have two versions of the same text. Which one is best? "ABC symbol" or "symbol ABC"? I tend to think the first one is right and the other one is probably brought from French since the text was first written in French.

Thanks in advance!
BAmary (X)
Canada
Local time: 00:43
Selected answer:it depends
Explanation:
It makes a difference whether what you quote as ABC is the exact symbol being referred to, or just a description of it.

For example, if I create a symbol in the form of a little picture of a house, I can say "write your address next to the house symbol", but it would be wrong to talk about "the symbol house".

But if H is the actual symbol I have created, then it would be best to say "Write your address next to the H symbol".
Selected response from:

Armorel Young
Local time: 05:43
Grading comment
Your explanation is great! I'll print it and keep it handy. Sorry Jane I can't give the points to you too, since you were the first to answer, but I really think Armorel's explanation is very good.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +3symbol ABC
bigedsenior
5 +3either
JaneTranslates
4 +2it depends
Armorel Young
4 +1under the abc symbol
Balasubramaniam L.


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


21 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
abc symbol/symbol abc
under the abc symbol


Explanation:
It is the shorter of the two and go well with the rest of the sentence.

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Note added at 22 mins (2005-06-28 14:43:04 GMT)
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It is the shorter of the two and GOES well with the rest of the sentence.


Balasubramaniam L.
India
Local time: 10:13
Native speaker of: Native in HindiHindi
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Andrey Belousov (X)
6 mins
  -> Thanks.
neutral  JaneTranslates: Shorter?? How so? // Sweet dreams. ;-)
1 hr
  -> Oh my God! you are right! I think I should go and get some sleep!
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
abc symbol/symbol abc
it depends


Explanation:
It makes a difference whether what you quote as ABC is the exact symbol being referred to, or just a description of it.

For example, if I create a symbol in the form of a little picture of a house, I can say "write your address next to the house symbol", but it would be wrong to talk about "the symbol house".

But if H is the actual symbol I have created, then it would be best to say "Write your address next to the H symbol".

Armorel Young
Local time: 05:43
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 52
Grading comment
Your explanation is great! I'll print it and keep it handy. Sorry Jane I can't give the points to you too, since you were the first to answer, but I really think Armorel's explanation is very good.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  JaneTranslates: Great explanation, Armorel. I take the asker's "ABC" to be a client-protecting replacement for the actual symbol, in which case the second option is better.
46 mins
agree  Will Matter
6 hrs
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
abc symbol/symbol abc
symbol ABC


Explanation:
Let's take a practical example, NBC (national Broadcasting Corp).

The well-known symbol/logo for NBC is a peacock. The stock symbol for NBC is also NBC, listed under the symbol NBC. So if it is "NBC symbol", it is ambiguous as either the possesive of symbol or the modifier of it. If it is "symbol NBC" there is no doubt.

I vote for symbol ABC.

The shares <<<listed under the symbol ‘ELCS’>>> (the ‘S’ denoting Regulation S shares) will trade on the AIM Exchange but will not commingle with the Company’s ...
www.uk.elcom.com/news_story.asp?id=313 - 22k - Cached - Similar pages


Marshall Edwards Inc. - PhenoxodiolThe common stock will be listed <<<under the symbol “MSHL>>>” and the warrants will be listed under the symbol “MSHLW.” Up to 1500000 common stock units are ...
www.marshalledwardsinc.com/index04. cfm?section=04&status=1&id=147



bigedsenior
Local time: 21:43
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  jrb
57 mins
  -> thanks, Jessica
agree  Can Altinbay: This is the stock listings. I don't know why "it would depend". this form is the one I always see.
1 hr
  -> thanks, Can. I don't think I've ever seen it the other way.
agree  Will Matter
4 hrs
  -> thanks, will
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3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
abc symbol/symbol abc
either


Explanation:
I rather prefer the second version--but either one is fine.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs 15 mins (2005-06-28 17:36:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

After reading BAmary´s asker note, my preference for the second option is even greater, for the reasons Armorel and bigedsenior explain so well.

JaneTranslates
Puerto Rico
Local time: 00:43
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  David Copeland: The second definitely sounds better to me also.
7 mins
  -> Thank you, David. Yes, it would be my choice, but I can't say the other is actually wrong. Cheers!
agree  Rutie Eckdish
8 mins
  -> Thank you, Sogifted
agree  Will Matter: Second is standard.
7 hrs
  -> Thank you, willmatter. I'm convinced!
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