Tell me what doesn't make sense about this sentence

[notfred]

This is the first part of an email I just got:

As we are having an unexpected visit from a staff member of the Institute of International Education next week...

 

[Fausto]

You could pare down the prepositional phrases for starters...

"As we are having an unexpected visit from an Institute of International Education staff member next week..."

 

[conjur]

It's a bit long-winded but, I suppose, technically correct.

 

[StageLeft]

It may not be written properly but it makes perfect sense.

 

[Hammer]

looks ok, but not the best way to phrase it

 

[notfred]

I'm not looking for grammatical problems, here 😉

 

[dpm]

It could still be an unexpected visit if they knew it would occur sometime within a week, but not the specific day, type thing
I take it its some kind of inspection thing?

 

[Triumph]

"But he does not speak it as good as we do."

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: notfred
I'm not looking for grammatical problems, here 😉

Oh...duh....not unexpected if it's a week away eh? 😛

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: dpm
It could still be an unexpected visit if they knew it would occur sometime within a week, but not the specific day, type thing

In that case, it follows up with:

On Tuesday, November 18 from 3 to 4 p.m. there will be a presentation in the California Suite of the University Union on scholarships for studying abroad during 2004-2005.

 

[machintos]

Lol
In this case, I am having an unexpected dinner party with my friends next friday at 7.

 

[dpm]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: dpm It could still be an unexpected visit if they knew it would occur sometime within a week, but not the specific day, type thing

In that case, it follows up with:

On Tuesday, November 18 from 3 to 4 p.m. there will be a presentation in the California Suite of the University Union on scholarships for studying abroad during 2004-2005.

Ah, in that case, your administrators are morons. So whats new? 😀

 

[StageLeft]

God, it's obviously expected NOW but the intent of the email is clearly to indicate that it took the writer by surprise and she had not previously known about this person's visit.

 

[eakers]

it wasn't expected that this member would come until recently.

 

[sillymofo]

How about "As we will be having..."
I know... english is not my forte.

 

[waylman]

Originally posted by: notfred
This is the first part of an email I just got:

As we are having an unexpected visit from a staff member of the Institute of International Education next week...

it is written fine and makes perfect sense. what's the problem?

 

[tcsenter]

Ah well, maybe they meant 'recently unexpected' as in 'we just found out about it a few days ago.'

 

[rgwalt]

How is the visit unexpected if they know it is occuring next week. Unexpected would be someone dropping by TODAY.

Ryan

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: rgwalt
How is the visit unexpected if they know it is occuring next week. Unexpected would be someone dropping by TODAY. Ryan

You are right. Damn... now I feel stupid. It's like they have a week to "unexpect" this guy to drop by.

 

[IcemanJer]

wth's the "Institute of International Education"? An institute specializing in foreign study programs?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Well its in a way expected, but you don't know when next time, I assume. It could have been worded better too...

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: notfred
This is the first part of an email I just got:

As we are having an unexpected visit from a staff member of the Institute of International Education next week...

Holy crap! It must be a SPANISH INQUISITION!

 

[isaacmacdonald]

Originally posted by: rgwalt
How is the visit unexpected if they know it is occuring next week. Unexpected would be someone dropping by TODAY.

Ryan

not necessarily. for an individual, a week might seem like a lot, but for many organizations and businesses, a week is almost nothing. When I get super-rush job's (graphic design) that need to be finished in a week, I'll frequently allude to the unexpected last minute nature of the job. An inspection could require similar amounts of preparation/work, and can be justifiably labeled "unexpected" if only given a weeks notice.