Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2017 January 29

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January 29

whatever besets you/whatever you are beset by

Which is preferable? Or, does it make no difference?
"I wish you the best in whatever besets you and I look forward to hearing from you again."
"I wish you the best in whatever you are beset by and I look forward to hearing from you again."
Thank you. Bus stop (talk) 22:07, 29 January 2017 (UTC)

I prefer the second, but the word beset has a strong negative connotation. Was that what you intended? Dbfirs 22:18, 29 January 2017 (UTC)

Yes, somebody wrote me and implied that they would be out of circulation for awhile but that they didn't want to disclose the reason why. I replied using the first version. But then after thinking about the wording I decided the second and lengthier version was preferable. But it is too late as the email has already been sent. Bus stop (talk) 22:31, 29 January 2017 (UTC)

I'd have said "I wish you the best in whatever befalls you ..." but I'm sure the person would understand your meaning. Dbfirs 23:15, 29 January 2017 (UTC)

Agree with Dbfirs, "beset" is similar to being set upon or placed under siege, and befall is the preferred term here. μηδείς (talk) 23:45, 29 January 2017 (UTC)

Anyway, if you did want to say "beset", either of the two original versions is quite reasonable. It's just a stylistic choice to use the active or passive voice. Well, unless you're one of those people who think that preposition stranding is bad English, but if you were, you wouldn't've written it that way. --76.71.6.254 (talk) 08:21, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

If you do not know what the problem is, do not use the word "beset" - it implies that they are under threat from all sides, which may not be the case. Just say that you wish them well in whatever troubles them, or in whatever problem they have. That is much more normal English. Wymspen (talk) 10:42, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

Yes, I think I over-interpreted, and in a negative way, what they were saying. Oh well, over and done with. Bus stop (talk) 12:19, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

I would just say "I wish you well" and leave the rest of it out. But given the negative connotations of "beset", the passive voice version might be better. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 15:09, 30 January 2017 (UTC)