[dailydriver]

Originally Posted by mayankk

Did a journalist's "I got that confused" (the sentence) rankle anyone else?

It did, does and will do.

In a subsequent episode (pls refer the Ukraine-Russia thread), the same journalist (???) demonstrated how to very cleverly beat around the bush and speak a lot, without actually saying what precisely needs to be said - in this case, a plain, heartfelt sorry.

The ductility and malleability of English is something I always look at with wonder.

x x x

While on the topic, let me quote something that had me in splits: on a very grim thread.

This is how a Bhpian reacted to the Journalist's faux pas.

Originally Posted by digitalnirvana

Foot, socks, boots, a bottle of shoe polish, and a large tub of humble pie. All firmly in his mouth!

[dailydriver]

Mohammad Amir - the controversial cricketer from Pakistan - had this to say about Shane Warne.



OT: Amir wants to migrate to England soon. I just hope his patchy grammar skills won't throw a spanner in the plan.

[amol4184]

Of late I have noticed with increasing frequency that people just don't use apostrophe or when they do, they do it in wrong place.

For example, "Please call on Amma mobile" or "My brother car is at the service center again!".
On the other hand we have these: "Since Hyundai and Maruti sell so many car's their service center's are always full" or "Old Safari's are good but don't exactly retain value".

Can't decide which is worse.

[binand]

Originally Posted by amol4184

people just don't use apostrophe or when they do, they do it in wrong place.

Talking of the apostrophe, couple of days back a popular language-focused Twitter handle posted this picture and asked which of the three versions is correct.



Any takers here?

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by binand

Attachment 2289395

Any takers here?

The first one? So basically a guide for every visitor. But in my opinion, they should have included this one too - visitors'?

[ValarMorghulis]

Originally Posted by binand

Talking of the apostrophe, couple of days back a popular language-focused Twitter handle posted this picture and asked which of the three versions is correct.

Attachment 2289395

Any takers here?

Should be visitors', IMO.

[binand]

Originally Posted by amol4184

The first one?

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

Should be visitors', IMO.

The response on Twitter is "all three (in the original screenshot) are correct". A moment's thought has convinced me that this is indeed true.

The thread: https://twitter.com/MerriamWebster/s...84493844361219

The subsequent discussion leans towards the view that "visitors' guide" is probably wrong.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Misplaced plural apostrophe is known, in England, as the greengrocer's apostrophe. It has become almost traditional for their signs to read Carrot's, Potato's etc. Yes, it is absolutely wrong.

As to the official guide for visitors to New York City, It's like the guy who, when asked directions, replied, "If I was going there, I wouldn't start here!"

[Axe77]

I am a bit of a grammar nazi myself (ask anyone who needs to get their written work reviewed by me).

No wonder then that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Its just incredibly on point and ridiculously funny at the same time. Highly recommended for similar minded folks.

https://www.amazon.in/Eats-Shoots-Le...=d6k_universal

[binand]

Originally Posted by Axe77

I am a bit of a grammar nazi myself...

So was I, until I had this epiphany: not everyone has had the "perfect language education". My own was far from perfect, and my writings (here and elsewhere) have their share of minor and major grammar, punctuation and usage mistakes and malapropisms. As long as I can understand what the writer intended I leave the form issues well alone.

For example:

Originally Posted by Axe77

Its just incredibly on point...

Or:

Originally Posted by Axe77

ask anyone who needs to get their written work reviewed by me...

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by binand

As long as I can understand what the writer intended I leave the form issues well alone.

For example:

Haha. Touché. That was well deserved.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

*SNIP* "If I was going there, I wouldn't start here!"

Should be "were"

Originally Posted by Axe77

*SNIP* Its just incredibly on point *SNIP*

It's

Ironic eh!

Cheers

Edited: Uh oh, I posted before seeing your response. LOL.

[binand]

Originally Posted by tilt

Should be "were"

The quote: "If I was going there, I wouldn't start here!" is a well-known one (with origins in Ireland I believe). It certainly isn't one Thad made up, grammar error and all.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by binand

... It certainly isn't one Thad made up, grammar error and all.

None the less, I am never sure of I was or I were.

The flexibility of the English language is, perhaps, its greatest vulnerability. It is almost always possible to work out what people mean, even with a few wrong words, let alone a little wrong grammar.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by binand

The quote: "If I was going there, I wouldn't start here!" is a well-known one (with origins in Ireland I believe). It certainly isn't one Thad made up, grammar error and all.

My apologies, I did not know this was a direct quote. I learnt something today, thank you.

Cheers