O
One Heart
Senior Member
Egypt
Egyptian Arabic
- Oct 10, 2012
- #1
1. Can one say:
Please answer my question in the spirit in which it was intended!
2. Does in the spirit in which it was intended indicate the question could be misunderstood so the speaker is trying to point out that no bad intentions are behind the question?
Thanks
Chasint
Senior Member
English - England
- Oct 10, 2012
- #2
It can be used in that way but in your example "Please answer my question in the spirit in which it was intended!" there is nothing to indicate what you might have intended. What bad intentions might you have had?
I think we need a more substantial example to discuss. Perhaps you could find one online.
O
One Heart
Senior Member
Egypt
Egyptian Arabic
- Oct 10, 2012
- #3
The problem is that I don't understand what in the spirit in which it was intended really means.
I've come up with this example as I'm trying to understand the meaning of this expression.
Chasint
Senior Member
English - England
- Oct 10, 2012
- #4
One Heart said:
The problem is that I don't understand what in the spirit in which it was intended really means.
I've come up with this example as I'm trying to understand the meaning of this expression.
My suggestion was that you search online for the term "in the spirit in which it was intended" and read some of the examples you find. I am sure there will be many. Then you could choose one or two examples and we could discuss them.
O
One Heart
Senior Member
Egypt
Egyptian Arabic
- Oct 10, 2012
- #5
I did search online before I posted my thread and I was trying to find a definition online. When I did not find (there might be but I was not lucky to find them), I came up with this example which, I agree, is not the best example. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my thread.
Copyright
Member Emeritus
Penang
American English
- Oct 10, 2012
- #6
If I give you advice on posting, for example, and I mean it to be kind and instructive -- not a criticism of you personally or a condemnation of the way you've posted -- I might say: Please take my comments in the spirit they were intended.
Because written words don't come with tones of voice or friendly facial features, the reader has to guess what the mood of your remarks is -- if the person is sensitive (as most people are to criticism or unasked-for advice), they may see your remarks as an attack rather than an attempt to help. So by saying "in the spirit they were intended," you mean "in the kindly/constructive/friendly spirit they were intended." You would not use this phrase if you really meant to be harsh, cruel or evil. 
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O
One Heart
Senior Member
Egypt
Egyptian Arabic
- Oct 10, 2012
- #7
Got it, thank you very much!
Copyright
Member Emeritus
Penang
American English
- Oct 11, 2012
- #8
Interestingly, I was searching for something else just now and found this old post in this two-year-old "ten-day" or "ten-days" forum thread where I use the expression in reply to someone I have said is wrong with his answer:
Thank you for taking my smiley in the spirit it was intended. We all occasionally get on our horse backwards.
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