Vocab check

Question

The advancing work on xyz is undertaken by a,b,c.  Please check the underlined word-combination usage.. Is that formal ?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

The advancing work on xyz is undertaken by a,b,c.

It's okay by me. As a collocation, it's similar to "the ongoing work."

The only problem I have is with the tense of "to undertake." I'd be inclined to use the progressive, "is being undertaken."

You don't usually undertake something which is already underway.

Of course like many passive structures, yours could be interpreted as "to be" plus adjective complement. That is, "undertaken" describes what kind of work this advancing work is. (It's undertaken.)
That would be sort of a stretch, wouldn't it?

There's also, "The work on xyz is being advanced by a,b,c."

Do you mean to suggest, by the way, that the ongoing work is being taken over by a new firm?

Welcome to English Forums, ff. Thanks for joining us!

Best wishes, - A.

Fyr3fox · Answer

Thank you.. problem is solved, I will replace 'undertaken'

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Are you sure you don't mean by a, b and c?

Or is a,b,c a single entity?

Clive

Fyr3fox · Answer

a,b,c.. was included to represent One or more PERSONS.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Then say by a, b and c.

eg by Tom, Fred and Harry.

Clive

Fyr3fox · Answer

Thanks got it.. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

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