Expressing the results of a statistical survey is a tediuos and difficult thing to do yet it is the stuff of bloggers dreams, rife with the opportunity to point the finger of accusation and scream "BIAS! BIAS!!!" without any recourse to any foothold in reality. Yet this statement leaves me wondering about the use of "but":
A quarter of those surveyed feel their organization "walks the talk" when it comes to work-life balance but only 29 per cent feel their employer truly cares about their work-life balance.Never minding the fact that an employer really cannot "truly care" unless you are the employee of a sole proprietor, would not a 25% part of a whole be smaller than a 29% part of the same whole, indicating that 4% more employees feel kindly about the acts of the boss than those who hear the words of the boss? Ought not the dour "but" be a hopeful "yet"?
I am so confused I need you to comment.
Comments
Hans - April 24, 2007 2:37 pm
There there Al. I'm sure a spate of commentary by the genx40 legions will serve to clarify your confusion. You are right. The use of the more hopeful "yet" would have been the appropriate conjuction given that a quarter (or 25%) is, according to my arithmetic, less than 29%. Moreover, by using the word "only", not just more is gloom invoked, but also incorrect grammar is demonstrated. "Only" connotes singularity, for which 29 of anything does not qualify. Don't expect people to be able to write or think anymore.
Hans - April 24, 2007 2:40 pm
"...not just more is gloom invoked...."
...present company excepted of course....
"...able to write or think...."
Alan - April 24, 2007 2:50 pm
Some smart you is.