Word and Grammar Rage
Posted by: JWM on 06 September 2008
I thought it might be helpful for the Forum to have a "Pedants' Corner" where the Forum pedants could get off their chest (or should that be 'chests'?) their word and grammar rage from Forum posts.
Yours, a keen pedant himself, but who on this Forum leaves it behind for friendship's sake,
James
Yours, a keen pedant himself, but who on this Forum leaves it behind for friendship's sake,
James
Posted on: 10 October 2008 by Ears
quote:Originally posted by JWM:
Is supercede really a spelling mistake?
Maybe not - well spotted, James. Though even the Concise OED seems to be hedging its bets when it says "although still often regarded as incorrect, it is now being entered without comment in some modern dictionaries."
It does say the standard spelling is supersede and derives from supersedere.
The amusing thing is whatever is written or spoken enough is likely to become accepted; no "rules" last for ever.
Still agree with us, 151 ?
Posted on: 10 October 2008 by 151
Oh yeh.
Posted on: 25 October 2008 by JWM
By an English person, the American idiom, 'on the weekend'.
Posted on: 13 November 2008 by JWM
By the British, the American idiom,
"I'm done" meaning "I have finished"
(and all its variants).
"I'm done" meaning "I have finished"
(and all its variants).
Posted on: 13 November 2008 by 555
Stop it 151!
Posted on: 13 November 2008 by winkyincanada
What is the English version?quote:Originally posted by JWM:
By an English person, the American idiom, 'on the weekend'.
Posted on: 13 November 2008 by winkyincanada
"Your". As in, "Your poor at grammar.".
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by JWM
quote:Originally posted by winkyincanada:What is the English version?quote:Originally posted by JWM:
By an English person, the American idiom, 'on the weekend'.
At the weekend.
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by Ears
quote:Originally posted by 555:
Stop it 151!
Did he hear you, or was there an edit?
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by 151
yeh.
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by tonym
When people always speak? In the interrogative? As though you won't understand them? Unless each sentence ends as a question?
I believe it's originally an Australian affectation which has regrettably crept into use in the UK.
I believe it's originally an Australian affectation which has regrettably crept into use in the UK.
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by bwolke
We wiied all night long.
We played on the wii all night long.
We had to wee all night long.
We played on the wii all night long.
We had to wee all night long.
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by winkyincanada
quote:Originally posted by JWM:quote:Originally posted by winkyincanada:What is the English version?quote:Originally posted by JWM:
By an English person, the American idiom, 'on the weekend'.
At the weekend.
Sounds slightly strange to me, even though I lived there for three years. Neither "at" nor "on" seems quite right now, actually. Think about how strange "at the afternoon" sounds. "On the afternoon" is just as weird. We say "in the afternoon" but never "in the weekend"
"During" seems to cover it most cases a little better, but is still strange.
I'd hate to be learning English as a second language.