an agreeable situation

W

westwind

Senior Member
Chinese
The granary was built on the southern slope of the Mang Mountain, an agreeable situation where the raining water can be easily drained away.

I wrote the sentence and I want the 'an agreeable situation' refers to the 'slope' instead of the 'mountain.' Does it work. If yes, can I leave the 'an agreeable situation' out and let the 'where...' refers back to the slope? Thank you.
 
    • I think it works; I knew immediately what was meant. But we'd say rainwater, not "raining water".

    Also, did someone drain it away, or did it drain away by itself? That is, "can (or could? past?) be easily drained away" vs. "could easily drain away".
     
    I agree with Paria on both items. "Agreeable situation" will sound like BE to an American ear, but it's understandable.

    I wanted to note that in English, most singular mountain names don't require the definite article. We would say "...built on the southern slope of the Rocky Mountains," but "...built on the southern slope of Cheyenne Mountain."
     
    Also, NB: an agreeable situation = a pleasant place. It does not mean convenient, practical or useful. The fact that rainwater can drain away does not make it "agreeable".
     
    PaulQ said:
    Also, NB: an agreeable situation = a pleasant place. It does not mean convenient, practical or useful. The fact that rainwater can drain away does not make it "agreeable".
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    I agree with you, PaulQ. Greeable doesn't mean convenient, but it can mean suitable. That's why I use it here.
    By 'an agreeable situation', I intend to convey the idea that the sourthern slopes of the Mang Mountain are ideal for a granary.
     
    As an aside and not wanting to press the matter,
    westwind said:
    I agree with you, PaulQ. Agreeable doesn't mean convenient, but it can mean suitable. That's why I use it here.
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    Agreeable did, at one time mean "suitable" but that meaning is obsolete.
    2. Of a thing (occas. also a person): that corresponds or agrees to something.

    †a. That conforms to the circumstances; expedient, suitable, fitting, convenient. Obsolete.
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    This obsolete meaning "suitable" was in the sense of having one part of a object or concept agree with another.
     
    PaulQ said:
    As an aside and not wanting to press the matter,Agreeable did, at one time mean "suitable" but that meaning is obsolete.This obsolete meaning "suitable" was in the sense of having one part of a object or concept agree with another.
    Click to expand...
    I indeed learned this word from an italian naviator from whom one of the longest suspension bridge in the world got its name. He described the situation of the bridge as 'agreeable.' But I forgot his name, therefore the bridge's.
    Now, I have to leave it out, one of the big words I have learned:eek:.
     
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