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Endeavour: Difference between revisions
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To [[endeavour]] is a [[verb]] that illustrates the practical problem being a plain English fanatic. It is a silly word: long, archaic, and its alternative — to [[try]] — is better in every way that a Plain Englishman cares about: shorter, more idiomatic, plainer, less fussy. | To [[endeavour]] is a [[verb]] that illustrates the practical problem being a plain English fanatic. It is a silly word: long, archaic, and its alternative — to [[try]] — is better in every way that a Plain Englishman cares about: shorter, more idiomatic, plainer, less fussy. | ||
But therein lies the problem: “[[try]]” slices cleanly through the semantic murk that [[endeavour]] so skillfully stirs up, | But therein lies the problem: “[[try]]” slices cleanly through the semantic murk that “[[endeavour]]” so skillfully stirs up, making plain something the draftsman rather hoped to obscure: namely, that his client’s convenant is scarcely worth the paper it is written on. | ||
Consider these alternatives: | |||
:''“The vendor shall [[endeavour]] to notify the purchaser of its intention within a reasonable period, but shall not have any liability for failing to do so.”'' | :''“The vendor shall [[endeavour]] to notify the purchaser of its intention within a reasonable period, but shall not have any liability for failing to do so.”'' | ||