1. spklvr

    spklvr Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2010
    Messages:
    734
    Likes Received:
    36
    Location:
    Sarpsborg, Norway

    In place for?

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by spklvr, Jan 30, 2015.

    I've stumbled across this phrase, and it confuses me to say the least. I'm not allowed to post the entire sentence (somewhat classified work stuff), but part of it goes "...is reviewing the procedures in place for forecasting possible..."

    This is a legal document, but I'm used to that sort of language, yet I've never heard this phrase before. Is my English not as great as I thought it was?

    As I think more about it, maybe they mean "the procedures in place, for forcasting possible..."
     
  2. Lemex

    Lemex That's Lord Lemex to you. Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2007
    Messages:
    10,704
    Likes Received:
    3,425
    Location:
    Northeast England
    It basically means whoever is reviewing the existing procedures for forecasting possible ... problems? I am guessing? I can't see the full sentence obviously so I wouldn't know.
     
  3. Shadowfax

    Shadowfax Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2014
    Messages:
    3,420
    Likes Received:
    1,991
    It's usual for legal documents to contain zero commas to minimize possible interpretations, so your "correction" wouldn't happen.

    I'm guessing that a plausible expanded rewrite would be:

    The director is reviewing the procedures in place for the purpose of forecasting possible problems.
     
    Lemex likes this.
  4. stevesh

    stevesh Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Messages:
    966
    Likes Received:
    651
    Location:
    Mid-Michigan USA
    That's right. The phrase is 'procedures in place', meaning, the existing procedures.
     
  5. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2010
    Messages:
    15,262
    Likes Received:
    13,084
    To expando-clarify it even more:

    The director is reviewing the procedures that are in place for the purpose of forecasting possible problems.
     
    Catrin Lewis likes this.
  6. HelloImRex

    HelloImRex Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2014
    Messages:
    261
    Likes Received:
    172
    The director is reviewing the procedures that exist for forecasting possible problems.

    If you read the phrase like that you should be fine.

    Basically, "something in place for x" means "something that exists for x reason". It also implies someone put it there and usually refers to something like procedure that isn't necessarily tangible. The implications I guess don't have to be true but usually are.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2015
    Catrin Lewis likes this.
  7. stevesh

    stevesh Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Messages:
    966
    Likes Received:
    651
    Location:
    Mid-Michigan USA
    Sure. Two people join a club but one person joins a club.
     
  8. HelloImRex

    HelloImRex Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2014
    Messages:
    261
    Likes Received:
    172
    Yeah, I deleted that part because I realized most words are like that. Sometimes I just don't think about how words are constructed until I come across a thread asking about specific words. I never realized the s went on singular words before at least consciously even though I don't think I've ever written it wrong. I think at college I've had foreign teachers who get that wrong. It would be a confusing thing to have to learn consciously.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2015
  9. Shadowfax

    Shadowfax Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2014
    Messages:
    3,420
    Likes Received:
    1,991
    I join, you join, he joins, we join, you join, they join.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice