Kirsten Bodart May 5, 2012:

To me 'ongebruikt' doensn't work either. It is clear what they mean, but it's not great. I would also avoid 'unused', but indeed, we are here to help, not to teach. I would opt for 'has expired without objection' or whatever this sentence is relative to, although 'expired' would probably be interpreted as passing without further ado in combination with what comes before. Better to be absolutely sure about the legal implications of that, though.

writeaway May 4, 2012:

this is not difficult so it's a good example for trying to work something out. the problem is that unused doesn't work but that's the meaning. there are many ways to tackle this and Asker is in the best position to know how to fit it in with the rest of the translation. Letting go of the Dutch syntax etc is the first step.
as for 'pratting about', isn't that what we spend a lot of time doing when we are trying to get a translation right and idiomatic?

Andrew Howitt May 4, 2012:

@Writeaway That's all well and good in classes and tutorials. The fact is that we live in a fast moving world where most people are working against (sometimes horrendous) deadlines and the reason they actually take the time to pose the questions is because they are looking for fast, helpful and accurate suggestions - they simply don't want to waste time "pratting about."

Lianne van de Ven May 4, 2012:

@Writeaway I agree with Andrew. You all too easily come off as berating and belittling. It's better not to respond at all than to berate people like this. Just provide some kind of helpful suggestion.

Lianne van de Ven May 4, 2012:

expiration/due I think you can simply avoid "ongebruikt" entirely and focus on the expiration date or due date: when this period expires or by the due date.
Alternatively: if you do not make use... (rather than 'unused') or something like that.

writeaway May 4, 2012:

@Andrew: call it the schoolteacher in me but I think it's more helpful to brainstorm and help/encourage people to find their own way to a solution that just hand-feeding ready made (often purely dictionary) answers. Translation isn't just about grabbing the nearest dictionary and copying what is found. It's about having a specific mindset.

Andrew Howitt May 4, 2012:

To "writeaway" If "unused" can be avoided, then why are you unable/do you refuse to suggest how it should be done? Surely the purpose of this forum is to lend assistance to people who pose questions and not to treat them like school children by saying "you'll have to try better". This does not add any value whatsoever. It comes over as just pontificating from an elevated stool and saying nothing constructive.

writeaway May 4, 2012:

rewrite the entire sentence into good idiomatic English. You'll find that 'unused' can be avoided. Try to avoid a word for word translation of the Dutch. That usually leads to Dunglish, not to English

ebell (asker) May 4, 2012:

Yes, I think I may just have to go with 'unused' as suggested by Andrew. The meaning is that there is a specified timescale for responding to queries - it is a 'clock stop' situation. The time taken to respond to the queries counts towards this timescale. Also the entire timescale can expire 'unused' - when the queries are not answered.

philgoddard May 4, 2012:

Please tell us what it says before and after this in Dutch, rather than your paraphrase. I agree that "unused" is probably not the right word, but we don't know enough about the background.

ebell (asker) May 4, 2012:

The 'termijn' is just a timescale (for responding to a letter with queries). Yes, I understand the meaning of the Dutch, but am having trouble coming up with a suitable English word for 'ongebruikt' (not happy with 'unused').

writeaway May 4, 2012:

the idea is unused you just have to work this idea into a well-phrased sentence. Don't see the problem. The Dutch couldn't be clearer.

philgoddard May 4, 2012:

Context Please tell us what this is about - otherwise we can't answer your question. What is "de termijn"?What does it say before this?