Let us Rejoice! ? , * " _ ' [] : : ... () !!!!!!!

[OakLeaf]

I'm still trying to get over "which/that."

[Geonz]

SNORK! Another grammar thread

Indeed, that "sentence" needed a period or a semicolon.

I worked with a student last week who thought sentences weren't allowed to be too short. I suspect a teacher had told her that because she was supposed to write more, but I also speculated that children in homes with fewer books (and less emphasis on literacy and love of reading) might have much less experience with simpler sentences in writing, tho' they generally used them in their everyday language.

I need to find _Eats, shoots and leaves_

[Pedal Wench]

Where do imaginary words fit in? Alot and abit bother me every time I see them.

[TsPoet]

Where do imaginary words fit in? Alot and abit bother me every time I see them.

I've been trying to come up with potential names for my next dog.
"Abit" just got put on that list.
Thanks,

[Geonz]

Welp, it was a *very* close vote that kept "alot" from making into the dictionary. Let's face it, we don't mean "a single clump" when we say a lot; we mean bunches of... a big amount... it is a concept that deserves its own word. I am less perturbed by use of a word which has no correct and accurate substitute than one which is being misused or is less accurate. Thus, I cringe slightly more when I see "one less car" than when I see "a car costs alot of money," though even then I empathize with those who question the need to differentiate between smaller quantities of countable items and generally smaller amounts. Using "peddling" for "pedaling" makes me sigh.

[OakLeaf]

I am less perturbed by use of a word that has no correct and accurate substitute....

Fixed it for ya.

I warned you.



ETA: That rule, which I learned for the first time in law school, probably bothers me more than all the other grammatical rules that we're all taught in elementary school - because it so clearly reflects a deficiency in teaching rather than learning.

[papaver]

A bit off topic but still related:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091007/...annoying_words

They can add the word 'awesome' to the list too.

[Sadie]

At my school, could we just stop spelling they, thay?