any of the ...

[raymondaliasapollyon]

Hi,

In the following passage, is "any of the" used properly?

Large population-based studies show that both short sleep and long sleep are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as the long-term progression of things like atherosclerosis, diabetes, coronary artery disease and any of the major cardiovascular diseases.

CNN - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

View the latest news and breaking news today for U.S., world, weather, entertainment, politics and health at CNN.com.

lite.cnn.com

I'd appreciate your help.

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes.

 

[raymondaliasapollyon]

Thank you, but have you examined the surrounding text?

 

[jutfrank]

I say no. I can't work out what the writer means by 'any'.

 

[raymondaliasapollyon]

I say no. I can't work out what the writer means by 'any'.

Thank you. What do you think is wrong with "any"?

 

[jutfrank]

What do you think is wrong with "any"?

Like I said, I can't work out what it means.

My suspicion is that since the writer is giving a list of examples of associated conditions, the idea is that any one of the cardiovascular diseases would count as a good example. In other words, all cardiovascular diseases are associated. It doesn't make good sense to me. If I'm right about what the writer really means, then a) I don't think it's very clear, and b) it's not very logical. Why not just say either which cardiovascular diseases are being referred to, or that it applies to all of them?

Is this the same problem you're having, raymondaliasapollyon?

 

[raymondaliasapollyon]

For me, the offending part is the juxtaposition of "coronary artery disease," "atherosclerosis." and " any of the major cardiovascular diseases."

It's like saying, "John likes malamutes, huskies, and all sledge dogs."

 

[jutfrank]

Ah, I see what you mean now. Yes.

It seems that he means to say ... and other cardiovascular diseases. As it stands, the sentence doesn't make sense. I wonder if it's a misquote. It's not easy to believe that as the lead scientist of the study he doesn't know what he's talking about.

If it is an error of transcription, I can see how the word other may possibly have been misheard as of the, but I still think the word any is wrong in both versions.

 

[raymondaliasapollyon]

What about . . . or any other cardiovascular disease (in singular form)?

 

[5jj]

I see you have posted this question on other forums:

any of the ... - English Grammar - English - The Free Dictionary Language Forums

forum.thefreedictionary.com

"any of the" or "other"?

In the following passage, is it advisable to replace "any of the" with "other"? Is it okay to leave it as it is? Large population-based studies show that both short sleep and l...

ell.stackexchange.com

Please do not post the same question simultaneously to more than one forum. Doing so wastes our valuable time. Instead, post your question to one forum and wait for replies. If you're not satisfied with those replies, you can try another forum, but please indicate in your thread that you've already asked the same question elsewhere (provide a link), and outline why you were not satisfied with the answers you received already.
(teechar)

 

[jutfrank]

What about . . . or any other cardiovascular disease (in singular form)?

I don't think or is right there. When giving a list of examples, it doesn't make sense to use or. There needs to be and.

What's the point of this investigation, raymondaliasapollyon? Are you simply trying to understand what the speaker means?

 

[raymondaliasapollyon]

I am trying to find out how that sentence (and the various revisions) is perceivde by native speakers, who don't always agree among themselves.

 

[Tdol]

It makes more sense to me with other as some of the diseases listed are definitely in the same category.