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Zach wrote:Beset is better and the more usual usage. Besieged is more metaphorical and idiomatic. I don’t like it. Clumsy language.
Beset usually refers to an individual, i.e. my faith is beset with doubts.
Besieged is more of a communal adjective, which in this case as it refers to Cardiff council and the Bus station in general I think she is spot on in its use!!
Don't think there is anything clumsy.
No doubt you will dissagree
I do disagree. In my opinion, beset is the standard word to be used with “difficulties”or “problems”. Besieged isn’t even the top synonym for beset according to online thesauruses I’ve consulted. And the same is true with the reverse. I believe that beleaguered would have been preferable to besieged.
But you make a fair point. Besieged is acceptable but, in my opinion, inferior.
Anyway, we were right about the bus station. I believe that the Labour administration will continue to be bedevilled by criticism regarding this FUBAR. I’m just waiting for McEvoy’s sanctimonious, unconstructive input. He was decrying the student homes plan when it was announced, rather than celebrating the fact that we may see some movement on this scheme.
A political opportunist, to be sure. Is there any truth in the rumour that he actually wanted the LDP (Plas Dwr in particular) to go ahead so that he would have a stick to beat his old party, Labour, with for many years to come? And thus have an issue with which to win elections in Fairwater? Who knows.....?