Quick question: do you object to the "as to" in "without causing any confusion as to the meaning", and if so, why? What would you prefer?Cathy Relf

@caffyrelf no objection here. Makes perfect sense.Nick Miners

@caffyrelf though I believe 'over' instead of 'as to' would work as wellNick Miners

@nickminers That's what I've changed it to, after objections were raised. I'm just wondering how widespread the objections are!Cathy Relf

@caffyrelf 'any' seems superfluous for a start, and so changes the sentence entirely.C

@caffyrelf No objections here. 'Over' could also work.Michelle Coburn

@caffyrelf Can't stand it - almost as bad as 'in relation to'! Clumsy faux formalism that's afraid of ordinary prepositions. Try 'about'.Tom Freeman

@SnoozeInBrief Ooh, strident! I've gone for 'over' - I don't think 'about the meaning' quite works.Cathy Relf

@caffyrelf I don't think it matters. The only time it would be a problem is if it were liberally repeated, but that applies to all words.Jacob Funnell

@catordog2 don't be silly!Cathy Relf

@caffyrelf I'd probably use "over" 'cos "as to" sounds a bit bureaucratese to me. Just personal preference thoughJames Eagle

@caffyrelf stick by the unnecessary adjective. Discuss....C

@caffyrelf I don't mind "as to", though it's a bit pompous. Was it written by a man who wears a bow tie?Mathew Lyons

@caffyrelf Yeah, I keep vaguely meaning to blog about preposition abuse but the red mist makes me inarticulate! And yes, 'over's better.Tom Freeman

@catordog2 Superfluous it may be, though I find it gentler to include it. But change the sentence entirely? How?Cathy Relf

@MathewJLyons It was written by me. In my bow tie. :-)Cathy Relf

@grouchotendency Yep, that's what I've done, but it's a new one on me. Always good to learn new irritations!Cathy Relf

@caffyrelf it shifts the emphasis and could make the 'as to' unnecessary. Depends on what follows it.C

@caffyrelf *removes foot from mouth* Well, some people can carry them off. You and Matt Smith both?Mathew Lyons

@caffyrelf fair play. It is a very interesting question nonetheless. Look forward to your blog. Over and out.C

@caffyrelf Absolutely. Horrid. Makes one sound like a Copper. "without confusing" is usually fine. Another ugly syntax: "in terms of..."Steven Shingler