English Language - what "Does your head in" ??

[Ray]

Didn't you want to mention who vs whom?

Well, I must admit I had noticed, but didn't like to say

After all, we in the grammar police wouldn't want to arouse the attentions of the pedantry police, now would we?

[horizon]

I had spotted it but I assume now that it is no longer used so I let it go. Even I accept that language moves on. It's just that I don't think it should be mangled in the process.

[Bmblbzzz]

Didn't you want to mention who vs whom?

Well, I must admit I had noticed, but didn't like to say

After all, we in the grammar police wouldn't want to arouse the attentions of the pedantry police, now would we?

http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=2938

[gaz]

... I can conceded and say that the article went on to look at regions but its main gist was which city. I think we're being far too kind to the Guardian - it's just sloppy English, not Shakesperean innovation. ...

I think I'm being far too unkind to horizon, more likely to have been sloppy typing. On that basis I'll allow it ...

[horizon]

I think I was losing the will to live by then . . .

(or loosing for those who prefer it, but I won't be using it for a while yet.)

[AlaninWales]

I think I was losing the will to live by then . . .

(or loosing for those who prefer it, but I won't be using it for a while yet.)

Yeah, lose ¬= loose - that's one that annoys even me!

OK... "Firing" a bow; insure ¬= ensure; apostrophe misuse all do too. I try not to let people know though.

[661-Pete]

... I can conceded and say that the article went on to look at regions but its main gist was which city. I think we're being far too kind to the Guardian - it's just sloppy English, not Shakesperean innovation. ...

I think I'm being far too unkind to horizon, more likely to have been sloppy typing. On that basis I'll allow it ...

Were you also preparing to pull Horizon up for "Shakesperean"? "Shakespearian" perhaps? No. There are some who think that the Bard actually spelt his name "Shakspere". So maybe either "Shaksperean" or "Shaksperian" is right (although my spellchecker doesn't think so).

[horizon]

I hesitated over this too, but went with Shakesperean.

Although language is fluid (and changing) it still works by rules. I don't think that getting it right is a bad thing - pedantic though it might be. The funny thing is that most people are pedantic about something: getting the right change in the shop is a favourite IMV, as is making a bike as light as possible (which I find faintly, not feintly, hilarious).

But I'm no expert either and I will be the first to admit to making mistakes. Believe it or not I'm mostly untroubled by errors on the forum and frankly am amazed at the overall quality of writing and the care taken over it - it's a joy to read.

[beardy]

Often the way you say things is conveying a message alongside the meaning of the words that you are saying.

So I will steadfastly answer questions with a boring "Yes" because I am a pretty plain person with a natural preference for brevity.

Others cant say "Yes" and have to say "absolutely" even when to my mind "yes" would have been far more fitting, they say it because they are vibrant, exciting people who are mixing with similar people and saying "absolutely" gets across the message about what they are too.

It does, I admit, annoy me every time that I hear it.

[661-Pete]

Others cant say "Yes" and have to say "absolutely" even when to my mind "yes" would have been far more fitting, they say it because they are vibrant, exciting people who are mixing with similar people and saying "absolutely" gets across the message about what they are too.

Precisely.

[Bmblbzzz]

Quite. Indeed. Correct. R. Trudat. Agreed. Spot on. [cont p94]

[661-Pete]

What about "affirmative"?

[ferrit worrier]

In the local takeaway last Thursday. customer comes in " Can I get ............." I'm thinking No you cant get it because your on the wrong side of the counter. You can have it, but you cant get it!!!! Oooooh I do feel better after that

[661-Pete]

Reminds me of that dreadful old joke about someone buying Viagra at the chemist's shop.
But perhaps this is not the place....

[Mick F]

What about "affirmative"?

K9
Dr Who.

Wonderful characterisation.