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Finding a proper adverb to end a sentence meaning unnecessary but not otherwise a problem

English Language & Usage Asked by aafulei on April 25, 2021

Let’s directly go to the example. I am writing a sentence

Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary but harmless.

[‘Call a function’ is idiomatic in say C/C++.]

I have a feeling that there could advantageously be an adverb placed at the end of this sentence to make it look more natural. But I am not sure whether it is

Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary but harmless either.

or

Calling this function for multiple times is unnecessary but harmless as well.

or something else.

Can someone please offer advice on this?

10 Answers

You need a concessive/contrastive (word or phrase); these normally come before the adjective at the end of the type of sentence you specify (ie 'It is A but C B' rather than 'It is A but B C'):

  • Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary but/though admittedly harmless.

  • Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary – but/though then again, harmless.

  • Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary, but/though on the other hand harmless.

  • Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary but/though nevertheless harmless.

A less 'abrupt' contrastive/concessive is 'at the same time', suggested by fev:

  • Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary, but/though at the same time harmless.

'After all' is in an informal register (and does often come last in the clause):

  • Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary – but/though harmless after all.

and 'albeit' (without the 'but/though') is very formal:

  • Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary albeit harmless.

Correct answer by Edwin Ashworth on April 25, 2021

What sort of audience are you speaking to? Literary, technical, professional, casual? Would stylistic emphasis help you find the delivery that you're looking for (i.e. italicization or employing punction)?

The nature of your sentence strikes me as congenial/lighthearted. If that's true, maybe try a conversational approach:

  • "Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary...but it's also (exceedingly/quite/totally) harmless."

Or

  • "Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary — but — it's also (exceedingly/quite/totally) harmless."

The adverbs in parentheses are optional. They're there if you want to add a little cheek.

Answered by jibbs on April 25, 2021

sounds like superfluous to me

su·per·flu·ous

/so͞oˈpərflo͞oəs/

adjective unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.

"the purchaser should avoid asking for superfluous information"

An adjective can work as well in your sentence.

Answered by Uhtred Ragnarsson on April 25, 2021

Calling this function for multiple times is unnecessary but harmless either.

This sentence is incorrect, either would need a negative verb to make sense here:

Calling this function for multiple times is unnecessary, but it does not cause harm either. (not a very successful sentence)

Your second sentence is much better, nothing wrong with it. Other ways that would work just as fine would be:

Calling this function for multiple times is unnecessary but also harmless.

... is unnecessary but harmless at the same time.

Answered by fev on April 25, 2021

I believe the entire idea can be captured concisely by a single word perhaps? How about "Calling this function multiple times is :" "extraneous" or "redundant" or as one other answer already suggested, "superfluous"

Answered by Ciarán Taaffe on April 25, 2021

Calling this function multiple times is unnecessary but harmless.

The answer is simple. Your first version, shown above, is perfectly correct, logical and unambiguous.

Changing your original sentence is unnecessary and may even be harmful!

Answered by chasly - supports Monica on April 25, 2021

I would phrase like this:

It is not necessary to call this function multiple times, but it won't hurt anything.

or

Multiple calls to this function are unnecessary, but they won't hurt anything.

Additionally, if this is a relevant example, unnecessary function calls waste resources, memory, and processing time; so, it is harmful. You could thus rephrase simply as:

Multiple calls to this function are unnecessary.

And leave it here.

Answered by kmiklas on April 25, 2021

If you want to emphasize the contrast between the negative "redundant" and the positive (or at least neutral) "harmless" you could make it more explicit, reversing the order:

While calling the function more than once doesn't do any harm it is [entirely] redundant.

The advantage is that the main statement you want to make ("don't do that") ends the sentence.

Although given a choice I'd leave your original sentence, as others suggested as well.

Answered by Peter - Reinstate Monica on April 25, 2021

Some answers say this, but to reiterate, your best bet in English (imo, and others here at least) is replacing the entire ending phrase with a single word. I say this with the background that it is technical writing and not a work of fiction, or similar where "flow" is more important than accuracy and conciseness. While I agree with the sentiment of other answers, I think the provided single word replacements are slightly off base. Instead of superfluous, extraneous, or redundant, try inconsequential.

"Calling this function multiple times is inconsequential"

Granted this phrasing is aimed at myself, a native english speaker - you know your audience better than I. But I think this is the best way to simply state what you're attempting to.

Answered by TCooper on April 25, 2021

You could simply state that that "This function is idempotent".

Idempotence (UK: /ˌɪdɛmˈpoʊtəns/,[1] US: /ˌaɪdəm-/)[2] is the property of certain operations in mathematics and computer science whereby they can be applied multiple times without changing the result beyond the initial application.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idempotence

Answered by Adam on April 25, 2021

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