Thread: to widespread disapproval

President Bush unveiled his new plan for control of crucial American ports today, to widespread disapproval.

"To widespread disapproval" in this case is like "to much chagrin" "to thunderous applause" "to etc."

Ok guys you explained that enough - I am sure now I thoroughly deal with such words as to widespread disapproval

Now I have another phrase and am trying to find the suitable Russian allusion on it.
So the original text is:

Following the wars for independence there was a long period of internal conflict as the various clans struggled for power and land, at times supporting, at others rebelling against the Scottish Crown.

Here is my attempt:
Вслед за войнами за независимость наступил долгий период внутреннего конфликта, когда разные кланы враждовали из-за власти и землель, то поддерживая, то вновь восставая против Шотландской Короны.

I am curious about the construction at times...,at others... in particular. Could anyone construct any other English phrase with such words please?

Thank you!

Originally Posted by TATY

Originally Posted by kwatts59

Originally Posted by Leof

Three months later, to widespread disapproval, the Queen married the principal suspect of her husband's murder, James Hepburn.

This sentence does not sound correct. It sould be "with widespread disapproval".

I don't think that "with widespread disapproval" sounds right with the sample sentence. It looks like "with widespread disapproval" modifies "the Queen."

(For instance:

Three months later, with much excitement, the Queen married the principal suspect of her husband's murder.)

I think "to widespread disapproval" more clearly evokes the idea of "the public" who is disapproving.

Originally Posted by Leof

Following the wars for independence there was a long period of internal conflict as the various clans struggled for power and land, at times supporting, at others rebelling against the Scottish Crown.

(snip)

I am curious about the construction at times...,at others... in particular. Could anyone construct any other English phrase with such words please?

Thank you!

My marriage was in trouble. At times I loved my husband, and at others I hated him with a passion.

He was an inconsistant student. At times he turned his homework in on time, at others not at all.

I tend to say "Sometimes . . . other times . . ." which sounds more casual to my ear.

Sometimes I sleep all through the night. Other times, I toss and turn until dawn.

Thank you very much demoiselle! You confirmed what I suspected about these words.

Originally Posted by Leof

Thank you very much demoiselle! You confirmed what I suspected about these words.

Don't listen to her.

At times,...........at times

Works best in the context you provided.

"Sometimes" makes it sound a tiny bit more colloquial.

The repetition of "at times" adds to the sense of contrast.

In speach, yes, "Sometimes" works better, but in the type of writing you showed us, I'd stick to "at times....... at times".

Yeah... that's what she said.

Originally Posted by TATY

Originally Posted by Leof

Thank you very much demoiselle! You confirmed what I suspected about these words.

Don't listen to her.

At times,...........at times

Works best in the context you provided.

"Sometimes" makes it sound a tiny bit more colloquial.

The repetition of "at times" adds to the sense of contrast.

In speach, yes, "Sometimes" works better, but in the type of writing you showed us, I'd stick to "at times....... at times".

Why shouldn't he listen to me? My sentences were perfectly good and I didn't give misleading information. I may be a beginner at Russian, but I speak my own language very well!

"At times . . . at times" is fine too - but I am not sure I'd necessarily prefer repetition. Sometimes using a parallel structure is good, but is the word "times" such a wonderful word that it should be repeated twice in a sentence? "At times . . . at others" avoids the repetition of a common word, and therefore IMHO looks better.

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

I don't think you can even say to widespread as a verb.

I am going to widespread the manure now, Billy-Bob!
I am going to widespread this cream cheese on my bagel

Well you can, it's just that it's "to broadcast."
EG: "I'm going to broadcast manure on the field now Billy-Bob!"
Also works as a noun: "boy, the network really dropped a load of manure on us with tonight's broadcast."