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the

English translation: The sentence is correct as it stands

17:43 Nov 21, 2009
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Business/Commerce (general)
English term or phrase: the
Through this sentence:
"In all our activities we focus on development and on improvement in efficiency." a consulting company wishes to say that in all they do, they focus on bringing about (broadly understood) development to their clients' businesses and that they also improve their (again, broadly understood) efficiency.
Question: Are there any prepositions missing in this sentence for it to sound best? The context is rather clear, there is no reason to change the sentence around, just these prepositions...
Or maybe it should read "... and on improving the efficiency"? Any help greatly appreciated.
mpoho
Poland
Local time: 00:07
Selected answer:The sentence is correct as it stands
Explanation:
The amendment you suggest would be better without "the".
Selected response from:

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:07
Grading comment
Thank you.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +9The sentence is correct as it stands
Jack Doughty
5 +5and on improving efficiency
airmailrpl
4 +2In all our activities the focus is on development and improvement in efficiency
Bashiqa
3 +2...and on an improvement in efficiency.
Vicky Nash


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +9
The sentence is correct as it stands


Explanation:
The amendment you suggest would be better without "the".

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:07
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 126
Grading comment
Thank you.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  eesegura
6 mins
  -> Thank you.
agree  eski: I think so, too: Saludos, Jack! :)) eski
24 mins
  -> Thank you.
agree  cmwilliams (X)
4 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  oberonsghost (X)
6 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  Joyce A
9 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  Liam Hamilton
12 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  Kay Barbara
16 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  Rolf Keiser
21 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  airmailrpl: The amendment would be better without "the".
1 day 12 hrs
  -> Thank you.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
...and on an improvement in efficiency.


Explanation:
It definitely does not need a definite article before "efficiency" but I would suggest that an "an" before improvement is neccessary.

Vicky Nash
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:07
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sheila Wilson: an improvement or, more likely perhaps, improvements
3 mins
  -> Yes. Thanks :)
agree  eesegura
6 mins
  -> Thanks :)
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33 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +5
and on improving efficiency


Explanation:
Or maybe it should read "... and on improving the efficiency"? => and on improving efficiency"

airmailrpl
Brazil
Local time: 19:07
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 33

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jennifer Levey: 'on improving efficiency' is certainly the most natural rendering in English.
1 hr
  -> thank you
agree  Veronika McLaren
3 hrs
  -> thank you
agree  John Detre
8 hrs
  -> thank you
agree  Bernhard Sulzer: sounds best.
8 hrs
  -> thank you
agree  cmwilliams (X): On second thought, I think this sounds the most natural.
21 hrs
  -> thank you
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
In all our activities the focus is on development and improvement in efficiency


Explanation:
I would leave out the second "on" as no repetition necessary

Bashiqa
France
Local time: 00:07
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Joyce A: This also works. It's smooth and natural.
5 hrs
agree  airmailrpl: In all our activities the focus is on development and efficiency improvement
1 day 8 hrs
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