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2006.10.05(Review of 2004.10.04 edition)

We thought we'd be a little spontaneous today. So keep your eyes on this one - there's no telling what might happen!

Today's LessonCATEGORY: イディオム
OPEN-ENDED   制約のない

Explanation

  • Something is open-ended if the way it will develop or the time it will end has not been decided in advance.

    If a question is open-ended, you are free to answer it in various ways.
  • open-ended とは、ものごとの進め方や期限などが、あらかじめ決まっていない状態をさします。

    open-ended question というと、何通りもの答え方ができる質問、つまり、自由回答式の質問、という意味になります。

examples

  1. We had an open-ended meeting with our client, during which many new ideas were discussed but nothing was decided. We're going to continue the discussions again next week.
  2. The company is moving away from open-ended contracts of employment, preferring to hire people for fixed terms with the option of renewal.
  3. For the marketing survey, avoid asking open-ended questions. The answers to such questions can be difficult to analyze.

英会話レッスンNow go out there and practice all that new vocabulary, and have a terrific day while you're at it!