Latest post of the previous page:
Yes I agree, less people probably get this thing right than wrong.Fia wrote:
And just how difficult is getting less and fewer correct?
Latest post of the previous page:
Yes I agree, less people probably get this thing right than wrong.Fia wrote:
And just how difficult is getting less and fewer correct?
oh I hate that too, don't give up! It seems just wrong, because the antecedent part (straight after the "if") relates to something that actually was or was not the case (in this case, you were not me)Athena wrote:
One I used to hate but am becoming desensitised to because it seems to have become standard American English, is the use of "would have" in the first half of Type 3 conditional sentences.
Thus, a sentence like:
"If you would have been me, you would have did the same,"
no longer irritates me.
That grates on me as well. The other one that I classify with it in my mind-catalogue of misuse is the misuse of "second guess" when the speaker means "guess". A close ally is the use of "exception proves the rule" as if "proves" means "verifies" instead of "tests". Aaargh!Athena wrote:
I hate, hate, HATE it when people say "it begs the question" when they mean "it raises the question - in my mind, at least - and probably in the minds of many others". This is so common from journalists and even Tony Robinson from BBC Time Team said it today.
The way I cope with that sort of thing is merely to accept that it's not English, it's a different language (Merkinese) that uses some of the same words as English, often with different meanings and spellings. Like "guard". To us, it's someone who protects or imprisons something, in Merkinese it's what atheists don't believe in. Or "error"; in Merkinese it is not a mistake, but a period of time like "Mesozoic" or "Victorian".One I used to hate but am becoming desensitised to because it seems to have become standard American English...
Tell me about it...Athena wrote:
I hate, hate, HATE it when people say "it begs the question" when they mean "it raises the question...
this grumpy old man needs some examples of these misplaced modifiers! Your being a grumpy old old man is not an example of plural verb-forms with singular collective nouns, is it? And what is Merkinese? - sorry, I just don't get your examples, and sorrier still if I have missed something wot you wrote.Tetenterre wrote:The way I cope with that sort of thing is merely to accept that it's not English, it's a different language (Merkinese) that uses some of the same words as English, often with different meanings and spellings. Like "guard". To us, it's someone who protects or imprisons something, in Merkinese it's what atheists don't believe in. Or "error"; in Merkinese it is not a mistake, but a period of time like "Mesozoic" or "Victorian".
Anyone else irritated by the misplaced modifiers that infest radio reporting nowadays?
Or the use of plural verb-forms with singular collective nouns?
I love being a grumpy old man!
Yes. It's also the given name of the US president (Merkin Muffley) in Dr Strangelove. In this context, however, it's derived from what Dumbya frequently proclaimed in what sounded like his "War on Tourism": i.e. "I'm proud to be a Merkin!"Dave B wrote:It has just dawned on me that a merkin is a pubic wig!
Yup, the similarity between "Merkin" and "American" seeped its way into my brain just before you posted!Tetenterre wrote:Yes. It's also the given name of the US president (Merkin Muffley) in Dr Strangelove. In this context, however, it's derived from what Dumbya frequently proclaimed in what sounded like his "War on Tourism": i.e. "I'm proud to be a Merkin!"Dave B wrote:It has just dawned on me that a merkin is a pubic wig!
"Our news team filed this report on the soldiers being attacked just before they flew back to the Doha newsroom."animist wrote:this grumpy old man needs some examples of these misplaced modifiers!
I have always taken that to be simply jocular.getreal wrote:not grammar, but the common misquote "..cheap at half the price..."
Of course! ANYTHING would be cheap if it was half price!
yes, surely it should mean cheap at twice the price (ie incredibly cheap now), and I don't think anyone understands this saying:Dave B wrote:I have always taken that to be simply jocular.getreal wrote:not grammar, but the common misquote "..cheap at half the price..."
Of course! ANYTHING would be cheap if it was half price!
Looks like one of those phrases that you can interpret according to your personality or mood! Glass half full/empty type. A friend claimed that the half empty glass was on its way for a refill.animist wrote:yes, surely it should mean cheap at twice the price (ie incredibly cheap now), and I don't think anyone understands this saying:Dave B wrote:I have always taken that to be simply jocular.getreal wrote:not grammar, but the common misquote "..cheap at half the price..."
Of course! ANYTHING would be cheap if it was half price!
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-che1.htm
2kg Special Fried Rice with gratuity/service-charge included?Dave B wrote: "Six number twenty tipped please,"