Grammar Question

[kkosmoski]

Does this sentence make sense?  "I have tentatively set up this meeting for 2 p.m. on Wednesday barring major schedule conflicts".  I know I could think of a different way to phrase this so that I don't have to use barring, but now I am intrigued by whether or not this is proper grammar.  Any grammar gurus online?

[bethalize]

"barring" means "except for" or "if there are no" so "I have tentatively set up this meeting for 2 p.m. on Wednesday if there are no major schedule conflicts" would be okay (or correct).



I would miss out the "tentatively" as the "barring" is a repetition of the sentiment.



I love grammar questions!



 

[whitesatin]

You could take the word "barring" out all together and the sentence would make sense.  The fact that the schedule is tentative would indicate that something might come up to interfere.



Just my thought.



WS  

[kkosmoski]

Thanks for the quick responses.  Now I can finish my e-mail.  I am enamoured of barring today, so I will just delete tentatively.  I appreciate your input.  

[tnvolgalcps]

I know it is too late, but I would have written the sentence:



Barring major schedule conflicts, I have set this meeting for 2:00 pm on Wednesday.



Just my .02 worth.  

[dettu]

Technically it's not right, because the phrase "barring major schedule conflicts" modifies "I."  For it to be correct, you'd have to get rid of that phrase altogether or rewrite the sentence.

Barring major schedule conflicts, the meeting will be on Monday at 9.

I have tentatively set up the meeting for Monday at 9.



Either of those is correct.

In my past (pre-admin) life, I taught college English!

[tnvolgalcps]

You're absolutely correct, dettu...I must have been brain dead when I wrote that sentence!  I just knew I didn't like it the way it was. Your version is on the money.