Is it good grammar to end a request for something with the term, "as far as conveniently possible."
I heard that today and felt it was the most cumbersome phrase I'd ever heard. But is it grammatically correct?
What on Earth is the definition of "conveniently possible" ? I suspect it means whatever the utterer wishes it to mean. That said I don't see anything wrong with the grammar. Not that I teach English or anything like that.
This sounds like a bit of almost contrived Indian politeness, similar to the frequently used "May I know your good name?" or "Please do the needful." It would be interesting to hear from other Brits who have either lived or visited India to see if they have heard this expression.
It's grammatically correct but it is somewhere on the obsequious-groveling spectrum, in my opinion. If it's to a person of higher status or a potential employer then this may be an appropriate method of approach.
"At your earliest convenience" is a conventional way of requesting something as equal-to-equal. You want it done yet don't expect the recipient to drop everything, on your account. For business purposes, for example.
My answer was typed on my tablet and predictive text has changed a word of my post:
"I am bad at grammar. If I was writing that sentence I would put "is" between these and conveniently."
This should be:- I would put "is" between "as" and "conveniently".
"as far as conveniently possible." may be grammatically correct, but like Wolf and Retro, I'd be much happier with "as far as is conveniently possible."
I would also put 'is' after 'as' - the auxiliary verb helps the flow and hints at the fully expanded meaning of 'as far as it is conveniently possible for you to do so'. Not that I'd be likely to use that form of words!