But the demand for proof was not the substance of my argument.
Systematic elimination of obvious technical errors renders arguments much healthier, in particular because it allows to diagnose hypocritical arguments not grounded in actual knowledge (even if the conclusion is—it’s possible to rationalize correct statements as easily as incorrect ones).
(English usage: “allows” doesn’t take an infinitive, but a description of the action that is allowed, or the person that is allowed, or phrase combining both. The description of the action is generally a noun, usually a gerund. e.g. ”… in particular because it allows diagnosing hypocritical arguments …”)
You are “allowed to diagnose” and I may “allow you to diagnose” but I would “allow diagnosis” in general, rather than “allow to diagnose”. It is an odd language we have.
Systematic elimination of obvious technical errors renders arguments much healthier, in particular because it allows to diagnose hypocritical arguments not grounded in actual knowledge (even if the conclusion is—it’s possible to rationalize correct statements as easily as incorrect ones).
See also this post.
point taken
(English usage: “allows” doesn’t take an infinitive, but a description of the action that is allowed, or the person that is allowed, or phrase combining both. The description of the action is generally a noun, usually a gerund. e.g. ”… in particular because it allows diagnosing hypocritical arguments …”)
Thanks, I’m trying to fight this overuse of infinitive. (Although it still doesn’t sound wrong in this case...)
You are “allowed to diagnose” and I may “allow you to diagnose” but I would “allow diagnosis” in general, rather than “allow to diagnose”. It is an odd language we have.
Yes, “allowed to” is very different than “allow”.