[Meat Head]

I get confused with who and whom.

[kavi]

1) variance from market performance was due to post-IPO integration costs
2) variance from market performance was due to the post-IPO integration costs

"Post IPO integration costs" is rather poorly worded amd ambiguous hence you are not sure whether to use "the" or not.

The ambiguety is that we dont know if the costs relate to the actual integration that was carried out post-IPO or if they are just general costs that came after the IPO Integration.

The two meanings are below, as you can one uses "the" and one doesnt. The original sentence is trying to say both things at once.

1) variance from market performance was due to the cost(s) of the post-IPO integration.
2) variance from market performance was due to costs post IPO integration

In 1 we mean the actual cost of the integration, in 2 we mean any costs that came after the integration.

In 1 we can say costs or costs depending how you are looking at it.

[Paracelsus]

(02-15-2017 10:54 PM)kavi Wrote:  

1) variance from market performance was due to post-IPO integration costs
2) variance from market performance was due to the post-IPO integration costs

"Post IPO integration costs" is rather poorly worded amd ambiguous hence you are not sure whether to use "the" or not.

The ambiguety is that we dont know if the costs relate to the actual integration that was carried out post-IPO or if they are just general costs that came after the IPO Integration.

The two meanings are below, as you can one uses "the" and one doesnt. The original sentence is trying to say both things at once.

1) variance from market performance was due to the cost(s) of the post-IPO integration.
2) variance from market performance was due to costs post IPO integration

In 1 we mean the actual cost of the integration, in 2 we mean any costs that came after the integration.

In 1 we can say costs or costs depending how you are looking at it.

I'd say both sentences are awkward because they're put in the passive voice. Consider active voice when possible:

"Performance did not match the market because of post-IPO integration costs."

Or similar.

Of course if you want to cloak a nasty truth in cushiony language, passive voice is the way to do it. After all, it's what all bureaucrats use.

One good tool for simpler, clearer writing is Ogden's Basic English. 90% of the Oxford Pocket Dictionary can be reduced down to 850 words.