In article ,
Col writes:

"David Buttery" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:24:28 -0800, Dawlish wrote:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporat...20091210b.html
snip

I can't say I'm too fond of the phrasing of this bit, dealing with 2009:

"Recently released figures confirm that 2009 is expected to be the fifth-
warmest year in the instrumental record that dates back to 1850."

I seem to remember saying this last year, but I really do wish the Met
Office would wait until 1 Jan 2010 before telling us how warm 2009 was!

*Expected* to be.

The use of "confirm" and "expected" in the same sentence seems designed
to confuse, though.
--
John Hall "[It was] so steep that at intervals the street broke into steps,
like a person breaking into giggles or hiccups, and then resumed
its sober climb, until it had another fit of steps."
Ursula K Le Guin "The Beginning Place"