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Need some help with understanding some (difficult) English

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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
So, maybe you guys can help me out, because I don't understand this sentence at all. It's about the political system in Ancient Rome.

Explain this to me in plain English, please!

"The interval that had to elapse before the rules enacted in this law were fully operational was to be filled by giving..."

I just don't get it, I've read the sentence a hundred times...

Halp!
Dec 9 2010 11:26AM
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Tasche
Posts: 5422 - Karma: 99
a little extra context would help.

But what I get out of it...

The law was passed but not effective and had to be supplemented by giving (charity?) until it could sustain itself.

No idea what it is talking about but I would assume a social welfare program?
Dec 9 2010 11:35AM
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Bonham18
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
In the time before the rules laid down in this law were actually enforced wast to be filled by giving........
Dec 9 2010 11:36AM
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Bonham18
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
*was
Dec 9 2010 11:36AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Ah, now it makes sense! Thanks guys! One step further in finishing my bitch-ass paper!
Dec 9 2010 11:42AM
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-AWC-
Posts: 125 - Karma: 21
The period of time before the rules (of the law created) came into effect was to be filled by giving (whatever it is next)... ?

I would assume. Hope that helps slightly, it's a tough one!
Dec 9 2010 11:43AM
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WikiWiki
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 426
whats funny is 95% of the English speaking people on this site still have no clue what that sentence means
Dec 9 2010 11:43AM
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Sinuous
Posts: 439 - Karma: 82

The interval that had to elapse before the rules enacted in this law were fully operational was to be filled by giving..." 


 Aspecific time period had to pass before the rules enacted in this was were available was to be filled by giving...

Time had to pass before the specific law were available was to be filled by giving...

To apply the law, time had to be passed and be filled by giving...

To use this law, time must past and be filled by giving....

thats as simple as i could get it

Dec 9 2010 11:44AM
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proZach
Posts: 7163 - Karma: 919
because no one is that much of a pompous asshole.
Dec 9 2010 12:01PM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
.
Dec 9 2010 12:03PM
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maximiliaan
Posts: 7711 - Karma: 2,857
well thats an difficult sentence :S
Dec 9 2010 12:04PM
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daave.
Posts: 283 - Karma: 45
To simplify the sentence it says "The interval was to be filled by giving..." The phrase "that had to elapse before the rules enacted in this law were fully operational" describes the noun "interval."
Dec 9 2010 12:22PM
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