This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English
  3. Linguistics

multiple and severe long term problems

English translation: yes

14:12 May 11, 2008
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Social Sciences - Linguistics
English term or phrase: multiple and severe long term problems
Is it possible to have these two adjectives linked by "and" or should we use a comma?

I'm editing the abstract of a paper for an English scientific magazine. It's about poor families and the problems they face in their daily lives.

Thanks
Daisymiller
Local time: 09:44
Selected answer:yes
Explanation:
IMHO it is OK to use "and" between these two adjectives

multiple and severe long term problems
Selected response from:

Magdalena Wysmyk
Poland
Local time: 10:44
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +9yes
Magdalena Wysmyk
4multiple severe long-term problems
Cagdas Karatas
3 +1multiple and severe, long-term problems
Marian Vieyra
4multiple and severe problems(,) in the long run
Gert Sass (M.A.)
4multiple and severe long term problems
Mahmoud Altarabin


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +9
yes


Explanation:
IMHO it is OK to use "and" between these two adjectives

multiple and severe long term problems

Magdalena Wysmyk
Poland
Local time: 10:44
Native speaker of: Native in PolishPolish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Carol Gullidge: yes it is. You have the choice, but linking it like this is more emphatic. Also, I'm pretty sure you should hyphenate long-term - but see under "hyphens" in the guardian style guide http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/page/0,,184838,00.html
14 mins
  -> Thank you
agree  Maria Castro: yes. I agree with Carol when she says "and" emphasizes the idea
33 mins
  -> Thank you
agree  Armorel Young: yes, this flows best to me - and I the hyphen in long-term is essential
43 mins
  -> Thank you
agree  Patricia Townshend (X)
1 hr
  -> Thanks
agree  ael
3 hrs
  -> Thank you
agree  JaneTranslates: I can't improve on your answer or Carol's comment.
4 hrs
  -> Thanks, Jane
agree  Egil Presttun
4 hrs
  -> Thanks, Egil
agree  Vicky Nash: Definitely with the hyphen
6 hrs
  -> Thanks, Vicky
agree  Phong Le
15 hrs
  -> Thank you, Phong Le!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
multiple severe long-term problems


Explanation:
I would prefer this one.

Cagdas Karatas
Türkiye
Local time: 11:44
Native speaker of: Turkish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

41 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
multiple and severe, long-term problems


Explanation:
no comma required if 'and' is used, but a comma should separate the other two adjectives as they constitute a small list, "severe, long-term problems".
Or, "multiple, severe and long-term problems" or even "multiple, severe, long-term problems"

Marian Vieyra
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:44
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  julzav: agree
1 hr
  -> Thanks, julzav
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
multiple and severe problems(,) in the long run


Explanation:
as in: "we are facing/expecting multiple and severe problems(,) in the long run"
or: “in the long run, we are facing/expecting multiple and severe problems”

I am counting 3 (rather than 2) adjectives or attributes, and I would say that your exact phrasing (and punctuation) depends on the point you wish to make. If the "long-term" aspect refers to both multiple and severe, I would tend to indicate this using the adverb form like in the above.


Gert Sass (M.A.)
Germany
Local time: 10:44
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day 2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
multiple and severe long term problems


Explanation:
we use the comma if we want to list things in a series. we put and before the last thing to me mentioned in a series but since it is two parts adjective, it is better to use and without a comma

Mahmoud Altarabin
Palestine
Local time: 11:44
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search