To and from

[Peter]

From 'the biology of microorganisms':

"In the capillary beds, leukocytes and solutes pass to and from the blood into the lymphatic system."

The combination of 'to and from' with 'into' doesn't really sound grammatically correct:
"from the blood into the lymphatic system"
"to the blood into the lymphatic system"
But what would be a correct sentence stating that there is an exchange of leukocytes and solutes between the blood and the lymphatic system?
"to and from the blood and the lymphatic system"

Any ideas?

[poli]

Originally Posted by Peter

From 'the biology of microorganisms':

"In the capillary beds, leukocytes and solutes pass to and from the blood into the lymphatic system."

The combination of 'to and from' with 'into' doesn't really sound grammatically correct:
"from the blood into the lymphatic system"
"to the blood into the lymphatic system"
But what would be a correct sentence stating that there is an exchange of leukocytes and solutes between the blood and the lymphatic system?
"to and from the blood and the lymphatic system"

Any ideas?

I would use: Between the blood and lymphatic system.
or From the blood to the lymphatic system and vice versa

[Peter]

So nothing with 'to and from'?

PS: I just realized this thread should rather be in the grammar section of the forum.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Peter

So nothing with 'to and from'?.

Well, your "to and from the blood and the lymphatic system" is correct, but to me doesn't sound quite as good as that suggested because there doesn't seem quite enough emphasis on the two-way movement. Others may disagree.

[Vonderbach]

To be fair, the initial structure is the only way that you can communicate that it is a bi-directional flow and still remain coherent and professional. It may not sound great, but it is the most accurate way to describe it.

The suggestion above "Between the blood and lymphatic system." sounds much better, but it doesn't communicate bi-directional movement, only that it may flow from one to another without noting the direction. "From the blood to the lymphatic system and vice versa" is very accurate, but doesn't lend itself to academic text standards in my humble opinion. These are both great alternatives though...I'm just suggesting that the original phrase is the best for the purpose at hand.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Originally Posted by Peter

PS: I just realized this thread should rather be in the grammar section of the forum.

Thread moved.