It’s amazing the liberties we take with describing our accomplishments sometimes. Take competitions. Did you finish 10th, or in the Top 10?
Both are technically right. But one is more impressive than the other.
The funny thing is that the person that finished 3rd is also in the Top 10, but they wouldn’t promote it this way.
And the person who finished 1st wouldn’t say they finished in the “Top 1”.
It’s so easy to attach success to those who finished above us, simply by adding the word “Top” to our place.
But can you still attach success to the frontrunners if you finish at the back of the pack?
Of course! You certainly didn’t finish last. You finished “outside the Top 10”.
Yes this is a stretch. But it’s a good illustration of the liberties we hear and use.
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