Not really a grammar question...

maestrowork · Jul 12, 2007

I want to write "the flaps of the tent's opening" but it just sounds so clumsy and bad. But "the flaps of the tent" or "the opening flaps of the tent" doesn't sound right either.

Any suggestion?

WackAMole · Jul 12, 2007

maestrowork said:
I want to write "the flaps of the tent's opening" but it just sounds so clumsy and bad. But "the flaps of the tent" or "the opening flaps of the tent" doesn't sound right either.

Any suggestion?

Heh. Dont you hate sentence conundrums like that? Its technically correct but it sounds BLEH.

Well, I dont know if this helps, but generally speaking, where the flaps are is usually an entrance anyway? Is it possible to cut the opening/entrance part out somehow? In the meantime, this is a good brain teaser. Imma go play with it

Without seeing your entire sentence...something like pulled back the canvas flaps maybe?

rugcat · Jul 12, 2007

There was a bug on the tent flaps.

WackAMole · Jul 12, 2007

I think one thing that would help is this. If you have already established that you are talking about a tent, it might help to leave out the "of the tent" portion of the sentence to give it a better feel.

Again this is hard to do without the entire sentence to look at but I hope it helps a little

Other suggestions : Canvas opening, flaps of the entrance, canvas entrance flaps, canvas flaps, (if the tent is not canvas insert correct material...damnit Jim! Im a troll not a tent expert!

scarletpeaches · Jul 12, 2007

Why say 'opening'? If they're tent-flaps, call them such. Isn't it obvious they would be used for entering/exiting the tent?

MMWyrm · Jul 12, 2007

I would be much more likely to say 'tent flaps' than 'flaps of the tent.' And aren't they always at the opening?

Whoops - simulpost. What she ^ said!

WackAMole · Jul 12, 2007

MMWyrm said:
I would be much more likely to say 'tent flaps' than 'flaps of the tent.' And aren't they always at the opening?

Whoops - simulpost. What she ^ said!

Some tents have windows which also have flaps

Though I tend to consider the mention of flaps to be the opening of the tent myself.

maestrowork · Jul 12, 2007

I like "tent flaps" -- so if I write "tent flaps" you'd know exactly what I'm talking about, right?

MacAllister · Jul 12, 2007

Not a backwoods tent-camping kind of a guy, huh, Ray?

Yep. If you write tent flap we'll know exactly what you mean.

jordijoy · Jul 12, 2007

I agree with WackAMole; if you've establish that you're talking about a tent previously, then you can, possibly, leave it out of the sentence under discussion. ex. "I love camping but hate sleepin' in this small tent." said Tommy, taking a swipe at a creepy-crawly. "The only thing I hate worse is being eaten alive my bugs." He grouched and secured the flap.

blacbird · Jul 12, 2007

maestrowork said:
I like "tent flaps" -- so if I write "tent flaps" you'd know exactly what I'm talking about, right?

I would, at least. I agree with Peaches. Plus, I would think the context of what you do with the tent flaps (someone goes in or out, I presume) would clarify further.

caw

WackAMole · Jul 12, 2007

maestrowork said:
I like "tent flaps" -- so if I write "tent flaps" you'd know exactly what I'm talking about, right?

Yessir! Yup

Mr. Fix · Jul 12, 2007

You can choose whats behind the curtain, or the box in front of Carol Maro?

"The open flaps of the tent's entrance..."

something like this?

:Shrug:

Duncan J Macdonald · Jul 12, 2007

MacAllister said:
Not a backwoods tent-camping kind of a guy, huh, Ray?

Yep. If you write tent flap we'll know exactly what you mean.

Hey now! Roughing it means staying at a hotel without room service.

That being said, from my mis-spent youth in the US military, when you mention tent flaps, I see the opening(s). No problems.

Not really a grammar question...

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

WackAMole

WTF?!?!

rugcat

Lost in the Fog

WackAMole

WTF?!?!

scarletpeaches

MMWyrm

WackAMole

WTF?!?!

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

MacAllister

Tired and worried.

jordijoy

In pursuit!!

blacbird

WackAMole

WTF?!?!

Mr. Fix

Fixed on the future...

Duncan J Macdonald

Plotting! Not Plodding!