Off-topic Talk Where overpaid, underworked S2000 owners waste the worst part of their days before the drive home. This forum is for general chit chat and discussions not covered by the other off-topic forums.

It's "than", not "then" (pedantry)

Thread Tools
 
Old Sep 6, 2001 | 12:43 PM
  #51  
skitz's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Campbell
Default

grrr the grammar police!!!!!!! i are leet! feer me!

Old Sep 6, 2001 | 03:35 PM
  #52  
naishou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,936
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
Default

[QUOTE]Originally posted by josh3io
[B]This URL is very appropriate for this thread
Old Sep 6, 2001 | 05:42 PM
  #53  
calc's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

First let me say, cedric, I agree wholeheartedly with your statement. However, since someone opened this can of worms, I'll venture a few comments about some of your posts.

About punctuation, josh3io: there are two generally accepted styles of punctuation--open, which uses few commas and is typical of journalistic style; and closed, which uses more commas and is frequently seen in more erudite writing, such as quality fiction and scientific writing. Naishou's punctuation in the sentence cited was perfectly acceptable closed punctuation.

Johnyboy32--"...got put into...." You forgot to pay your syntax!

Note that I used punctuation with that smiley. (Boy, glad I caught that before anyone else did.)

Tokyo James, the possessive form of who is whose, not who's (that's the contraction for "who is").

It's unfortunate that usage determines dictionary inclusion, but that's usually mitigated by qualifying words, such as Webster's New World describing irregardless as "nonstandard or humorous usage."

Please understand that I'm not trying to put anyone down. Oversights are easy when you're quickly hammering out a response on line. On no other occasion would I comment about someone's grammar, usage or spelling on these forums. And spell checkers are of limited use--for example, they'd never catch the to-two-too and there-their-they're errors. Only a grammar checker might do that. (Don't know, don't use them myself.) In context, the intended meaning is usually quite clear despite the error.

Again, as cedric pointed out, the object is communication, not denigration.

cal
Old Sep 6, 2001 | 05:53 PM
  #54  
tokyo_james's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 65,827
Likes: 2
From: FCUK
Default

Originally posted by calc
Tokyo James, the possessive form of who is whose, not who's (that's the contraction for "who is").

cal
Cal, I stand corrected and bow down to your superior intellect

As you so correctly point out, it is very easy to make mistakes and overlook the obvious........

Old Sep 6, 2001 | 06:15 PM
  #55  
calc's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Tokyo James, I most emphatically don't claim (or agree that I have) "superior intellect." It's just that I made my living for years as a journalist, copywriter and technical writer, so I'm a little more aware of these things than most. If you've seen my posts elsewhere, you know that I'm constantly revealing my ignorance about things electrical and mechanical. I'm grateful that this forum exists and that there are so many people on it who are willing to be of help.

cal
Old Sep 6, 2001 | 06:35 PM
  #56  
naishou's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,936
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
Default

Originally posted by calc

Again, as cedric pointed out, the object is communication, not denigration.
Quite true. I just lament the fact that (clear and unambiguous) communication is becoming increasingly difficult. I'm not here to put anyone down. I just wish people would try harder to say what they mean.
Old Sep 6, 2001 | 06:47 PM
  #57  
johnyboy32's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Default

[QUOTE]Originally posted by calc
[B]

Johnyboy32--"...got put into...." You forgot to pay your syntax!
Old Sep 6, 2001 | 07:26 PM
  #58  
1Y2KS2K's Avatar
Registered User
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 0
From: Palm Springs
Default

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lvs2k
[B]I guess the two most common mis-usages that come to mind are (1), the use of the word impact (noun) as a verb. "How will that impact them?" instead of "What kind of impact will that have on them?"
(2) The use of the comparative "more".
Old Sep 6, 2001 | 08:39 PM
  #59  
calc's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Johnnyboy32--No, it was a mild and apparently unsuccessful attempt to keep things light: "pay your syn(sin)-tax."

And, if you were a woman, I'd say, "Ask not for whom the belle tolls." (groan)

cal
Old Sep 6, 2001 | 09:52 PM
  #60  
tokyo_james's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 65,827
Likes: 2
From: FCUK
Default

Originally posted by calc
Tokyo James, I most emphatically don't claim (or agree that I have) "superior intellect." It's just that I made my living for years as a journalist, copywriter and technical writer, .........

cal
Cal,

This was not intended as a serious comment and I was not trying to get at you, I was taking this at humorous level as I find the content of the thread quite funny.

All of my posts in this thread have been made tongue in cheek.






All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:18 PM.