Grammar Corner

[Melonfeud]

There's more truth than humour contained in that 'pop quiz' ol' @BrAinPaiNt dropped on the Threads attendees ,,,er,,,Those in attendance thereof.

* I've a good feeling I Aced that test and thats bound to be making my dog happy,,,not having to eat all my homework for this report card casing-liner coming up

 

[Londonboy]

I like the idea of a grammar thread and, at the least, it will be fun.

So, explain this use of the Queen's English: very recently, I heard a BBC newsreader state, "... the government are blah, blah, blah". Why is government considered plural in this sentence? This isn't the first time I have heard the "pluralization" of what most Americans would consider a singular noun.

By the way, I lived in the UK for a number of years and am an avid reader of the London Times as well as the BBC

"London" Times....lol (is using lol on da Grammar thread a major faux pas?)

 

[Montanalo]

"London" Times....lol (is using lol on da Grammar thread a major faux pas?)

Minor faux pas at best. Never said I was overly discerning.

The point I wanted to make was that I have some familiarty with the language and culture.

 

[Melonfeud]

Ah grammar, through these dark times of abuse I will not abandon thee. Tis far better to pause and think than adopt poor communication skills.

,,,er,,,,,,,ah,,,'copy',,,I guess,,,maybe I do,,,kinda',,,

* meanwhile, deep within confines of the MELON FEUDIAN wheelhouse, the noise of the clanking slowly turning long stroking connector rods of steam pistons, turn the cogs emeshed within the big brained gearbox,,, and the thought of why this cut scene is even being presented is now completely lost upon its verbal output shaft​

 

[Londonboy]

You Yanks and Yankettes mangle the Queen's English so frequently that I have decided to begin a gramnar go-to place.
Have a question on grammar? Usage? Punctuation? Awful trends in the language?

Try me, blokes!

Each day or so I will highlight a facet of English that we tend to mangle.

Let's begin with the common mistake of noun verb usage:
"Each one of you have a mission in life."
It should be thus:
"Each one of you HAS a mission in life."
Each is called a determiner. And it's a pronoun. But it can mimic a noun that affects the verb has/have.

Each is singular, thus, has.

How about We do a correct pronunciation thread too.
We could start with Jaguars (Jag-You-ers not Jag-wahs).

 

[Montanalo]

How about We do a correct pronunciation thread too.
We could start with Jaguars (Jag-You-ers not Jag-wahs).

Aluminium vs aluminum... Tin foil may never be the same!

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I like the idea of a grammar thread and, at the least, it will be fun.

So, explain this use of the Queen's English: very recently, I heard a BBC newsreader state, "... the government are blah, blah, blah". Why is government considered plural in this sentence? This isn't the first time I have heard the "pluralization" of what most Americans would consider a singular noun.

By the way, I lived in the UK for a number of years and am an avid reader of the London Times as well as the BBC

You are correct, scholar. The government IS .... The government is a singular entity.

Consider first, gentle reader, that broadcasters play it fast and loose with English. They are more interested in looking good than knowing English that kids hear from therm and incorrectly repeat.

"The people that were arrested ... The city council today gave their endorsrment..."
They should be shot by the queen's guard!
It should be:
"The people WHO were arrested..." Remember: People are whosits
"The city council today gave ITS endorsement" The council is a singular entity, matey, and not plural.

Thanks matey, for supporting and honoring thee English language!

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

How about We do a correct pronunciation thread too.
We could start with Jaguars (Jag-You-ers not Jag-wahs).

Beahs?


Say, London, you ever travel to Paris?
If so, don't pronounce it like drunk Yanks or loutish Manchesterans.
It is Pah-REE (roll the R)

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

People seem to get insulted and angry when anyone tries to correct them.

That said, I would've begun by mentioning that "of" should never follow "would", "could", "should", or "might".
I believe the sound of the contraction is what causes the confusion, but "would have" or "would've" is the correct phrasing, not "would of".

That just irritates me.

Absolutey! Thanks for bring that up!
Another colloquialism that sours me Yorkshire pudding:
"I am going to go to Weatherford."
Instead, say "I am going to Weatherford."
Or
"I am fixing to go see Matilda."
Ugh!

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Let's start with 'gramnar'...

Yes, standing by ...

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Gimme keeps things interesting around here... it's all in fun.

Quite.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

We had someone use irregardless in a thread..still refuses to admit that's not a word
And he acts all high and might which is funny

But, mate, irregardless sounds so learned!!!!

 

[Londonboy]

Beahs?


Say, London, you ever travel to Paris?
If so, don't pronounce it like drunk Yanks or loutish Manchesterans.
It is Pah-REE (roll the R)

Do You mean manky Mancunians?
I've never met an Englishman who pronounced the french capital Pah-REE, after numerous ***-kickings, they stopped insisting.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Today let's consider the usage of Embattled.
Sounds like someone or something that is fending off attacks, right?
Wrong.
Merriam-Webster's first and primary definition of embattled is to be ready for warfare, looking for a fight, prepared to give fight.
The rabied rebel rabble at Lexington and Concord were embattled! They were looking for a fight against the King's troops.
But, too often we use embattled incorrectly.
If the president or a nation is besieged, under attack, etc., use beleaguered or besieged etc.
Now, Merriam-Webster does have embattled as "under attack" in its alternative definition. But notice it is a secondary, not a primary definition. If you have a choice, be correct.

The Dallas Cowboys' HC is beleaguered, not embattled!

 

[Runwildboys]

You are correct, scholar. The government IS .... The government is a singular entity.

Consider first, gentle reader, that broadcasters play it fast and loose with English. They are more interested in looking good than knowing English that kids hear from therm and incorrectly repeat.

"The people that were arrested ... The city council today gave their endorsrment..."
They should be shot by the queen's guard!
It should be:
"The people WHO were arrested..." Remember: People are whosits
"The city council today gave ITS endorsement" The council is a singular entity, matey, and not plural.

Thanks matey, for supporting and honoring thee English language!

That's another one that bothers me. It's very easy to remember that people are who, and things are that.

 

[Runwildboys]

How about We do a correct pronunciation thread too.
We could start with Jaguars (Jag-You-ers not Jag-wahs).

Nor is it Jag-wires. I even hear some commentators pronounce it that way.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Do You mean manky Mancunians?
I've never met an Englishman who pronounced the french capital Pah-REE, after numerous ***-kickings, they stopped insisting.

Ask any Manchester lout and she will tell you Manchesterans is the manly alternative!

That remind me. Alternate/alternative.
Use alternate to mean every other time, once in a while etc.
Use alternative as an option or other choice.
"The vote is held in alternate years."
"The alternative to football is death."

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Nor is it Jag-wires. I even hear some commentators pronounce it that way.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

There's more truth than humour contained in that 'pop quiz' ol' @BrAinPaiNt dropped on the Threads attendees ,,,er,,,Those in attendance thereof.

* I've a good feeling I Aced that test and thats bound to be making my dog happy,,,not having to eat all my homework for this report card casing-liner coming up

I want to take Melon on a world tour to show the world how NOT TO USE ENGLISH. He will be treated humanely and not exposed to ridicule.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Your kin in the holler don't care.