Language Nazis Unite!

[AngelicAssassin]

How did we forget this one?

Use affect, usually, as a verb meaning to influence, and effect, usually, as a noun meaning result.

The drug did not affect the disease, and had several adverse side effects.

You can use effect as a verb meaning to bring about often by surmounting obstacles.

Only you can effect such a dramatic change in your grammar.

 

[Quint]

Re: How did we forget this one?

Use affect, usually, as a verb meaning to influence, and effect, usually, as a noun meaning result.

The drug did not affect the disease, and had several adverse side effects.

You can use effect as a verb meaning to bring about often by surmounting obstacles.

Only you can effect such a dramatic change in your grammar.

What actually got me is that "effective" and "affective" are both valid adjectives. I'm familiar with the first, but hadn't heard the second until I'd rudely attempted to correct the speaker. As AA's example is one of my pet peeves, my reaction was rather affective, and as such my attempt at instruction was not effective.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

<snip> IE words. Or should I say EI words? Believe, conceive, neighbor, weigh, etc.

"I" before "E" except after "C", or when sounding like "A" as in neighbor and weigh. </snip>

And except in certain weird words, like "weird."

 

[Esclava]

This thread is a literate individual's mine field ...

...and I'm loving every minute of it!

I'm also thankful for all the people in it with knowledge of the paths to get through it.

Esclava

 

[witcha]

Ohh I've one..for some odd reason some people believe that past form from read is red

Red is a colour

Verb read has all 3 forms the same,but the last 2 are pronounced in a different way





witcha

 

[AngelicAssassin]

Re: Re: How did we forget this one?

I'm familiar with the first, but hadn't heard the second until I'd rudely attempted to correct the speaker.

Please tell me that wasn't with a client Ms. Blue Pen.

And now, for my personal favorite. i don't care how often you explain it, how many examples you show, one more exception exists.

i'll dump the simple explanation, and let the vultures come feed.

The principal parts (most-common verb forms) of lie are:

lie (present), lay (past) and lain (past participle).

The princial parts of lay are:

lay (present), laid (past) and laid (past participle).


You lay down the book you’ve read, but you lie down when you go to bed. In the present tense, if the subject is acting on some other object, it’s “lay.” If the subject is lying down, then it’s “lie.” This distinction is often not made in informal speech, partly because in the past tense the words sound much more alike: “He lay down for a nap,” but “He laid down the law.” If the subject is already at rest, you might “let it lie.” If a helping verb is involved, you need the past participle forms. “Lie” becomes “lain” and “lay” becomes “laid”: “He had just lain down for a nap,” and “His daughter had laid the gerbil on his nose.”

 

[Kassiana]

Gods, thank you so much for the affect/effect explanation, AA. I see that misused far too often.

 

[ShyGuy68]

I know that I'm not the best when it comes to grammar, but luckily I can blame it on English only being my second language

But sometimes I get so annoyed when people type messages in internet shorthand! It's great not g8t and so on, and it doesn't take much longer to write the whole word damn it!

Oh and when will people ever learn that it's spelled masturabate, and not masterbate!! *geez*

 

[Kassiana]

... sometimes I get so annoyed when people type messages in internet shorthand! It's great not g8t and so on, and it doesn't take much longer to write the whole word damn it!

"ppl" and "u" are the ones that tick me off.

Oh and when will people ever learn that it's spelled masturabate, and not masterbate!! *geez*

You meant "masturbate," though I like the idea of the word "masturabate." I suppose that word means you're getting to the end of your masturbation session.

 

[Esclava]

 

[ShyGuy68]

Just shows that you shouldn't proofread your own writing

 

[Kassiana]

Just shows that you shouldn't proofread your own writing

Merry Christmas.

 

[ShyGuy68]

Merry Christmas.

Thank you. And Merry Christmas to you as well

 

[DVS]

Ohh I've one..for some odd reason some people believe that past form from read is red

Red is a colour

Verb read has all 3 forms the same,but the last 2 are pronounced in a different way





witcha

What really gets me is these strange people who consistently add a U to some words. That's sooooo weird and completely foreign to me..

 

[TNRkitect2b]

What really gets me is these strange people who consistently add a U to some words. That's sooooo weird and completely foreign to me..

That one's easy to explain. We Americans are lazy, so why spell color colour when you can omit one letter without changing the word?

 

[DVS]

That one's easy to explain. We Americans are lazy, so why spell color colour when you can omit one letter without changing the word?

Well, the way I see it...why add a letter when the word is spelled just fine with out it. I don't see it as our being lazy, more like being thrifty or efficient.

It seems to be yet another example of America's better way. The English version of the Hokey Pokey is another example. Maybe it's just their way at humor. note the lack of the unnecessary U in the word humor

Not that the English don't have a sense of humor...they do, and I love their style. But, there comes a time when one must be loyal to one's country.

And another...it isn't Father Christmas...it's Santa Claus. But, to each, his own.

Merry Chirstmas, what's left of it.

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

 

[AngelicAssassin]

Time to po the Canadians, Brits, and Aussies

Click me.

 

[snowy ciara]

Weather/Whether

Weather is to do with Mother Nature and the elements outside......The weather is overcast and cold.

Whether is about making or stating a choice of sorts.....I don't care whether you come or not.

Catalina

and a wether is also a gelded male sheep. For example, "He checked the weather when he was trying to decide whether to visit the wether in the barn."

Another 1 that bugs me. I hate it when u r 2 laZ to rite good.

I'm not so hot at this, I'm notorious for not spell checking and creating bizarre grammatical constructions.

Shyguy mentioned that this is his second language, which brings me to another question. When you know someone is not a native speaker, do you give them a little more leeway, grammar-wise? I do, quite often.

 

[DVS]

and a wether is also a gelded male sheep. For example, "He checked the weather when he was trying to decide whether to visit the wether in the barn."

Leave it to a woman to bring something so painful up. Ouch!

Another 1 that bugs me. I hate it when u r 2 laZ to rite good.

I would much rather read the whole word. When that sort of writing is used, it makes me think the person is around 14?

Shyguy mentioned that this is his second language, which brings me to another question. When you know someone is not a native speaker, do you give them a little more leeway, grammar-wise? I do, quite often.

Yes, I do. But I give everybody some leeway, even if English is their first language. Fingers get in the way, when you type. Some people might talk perfectly fine, but can't type.

And, it's not nice to correct someone, as a rule. To some, it shows you feel you're superior to them, even if you don't mean to be.

EDITED to add...
There are people who don't write (or type) as they would talk. Like when you receive a letter from a friend and the sentences aren't complete, being broken phrases, etc.

I write and type exactly as I would say it. I always have and I always will. Not that everyone should, but it would be nice if they did.

 

[DVS]

Re: Time to po the Canadians, Brits, and Aussies

Click me.

That guy's link lost me. Was he English, by chance?

 

[AngelicAssassin]

And, it's not nice to correct someone, as a rule. To some, it shows you feel you're superior to them, even if you don't mean to be.

Sorry, most make it through the equivalent of high school no matter where they live. If you didn't pay attention in class, it ain't my damn problem i can't understand you.

EDITED to add...
There are people who don't write (or type) as they would talk. Like when you receive a letter from a friend and the sentences aren't complete, being broken phrases, etc.

And all the more embarrassed they should be for not expending the effort. Why excuse someone for not bothering to check before mailing, or pressing enter?

 

[DVS]

Sorry, most make it through the equivalent of high school no matter where they live. If you didn't pay attention in class, it ain't my damn problem i can't understand you.And all the more embarrassed they should be for not expending the effort. Why excuse someone for not bothering to check before mailing, or pressing enter?

Well, because it's my aunt! She's not from this computer generation, but is doing her best. And, in the old days, when she would send a letter, she wrote the same way. It must have been how some were taught, back then?


P.S. She's rich! She always sends money for Christmas. Catch my drift?

 

[AngelicAssassin]

P.S. She's rich! She always sends money for Christmas. Catch my drift?

ROFL!!!

You suck up!

 

[catalina_francisco]

and a wether is also a gelded male sheep. For example, "He checked the weather when he was trying to decide whether to visit the wether in the barn."

Another 1 that bugs me. I hate it when u r 2 laZ to rite good.

I'm not so hot at this, I'm notorious for not spell checking and creating bizarre grammatical constructions.

Shyguy mentioned that this is his second language, which brings me to another question. When you know someone is not a native speaker, do you give them a little more leeway, grammar-wise? I do, quite often.

LOL, didn't know that about the sheep. And second languages are also an issue. For Francisco, English is his third language out of 6-7, and now he is working on basic Arabic while he has been working in Saudi Arabia. He gets me to edit sometimes, but rarely needs it ....he is also a fan of spellcheck but I don't usually bother with it.

Catalina

 

[witcha]

What really gets me is these strange people who consistently add a U to some words. That's sooooo weird and completely foreign to me..

I know I know..stupid differences between British and American English. I spell such words as humour,neighbour or colour mostly how I feel....but my teacher at school is obsessed bout spelling it in British English way so I try to be a good student and do that

One thing I don't get though why Americans sometimes don't use doesn't in 3rd person..I mean 'Love don't cost a thing' (ewww song btw) sounds better than 'Love doesn't cost a thing' but grammar is grammar,right??


witcha