A point of grammar
Dec 16, 2019 14:46:39 #
edrobinsonjr wrote:
I "Googled" it and this is what I found:
An ellipsis (plural: ellipses)... See https://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/ellipses.asp
So, I think an ellipsis is a single 3 dot punctuation mark. There may be more than one used or not. If there are more than one then ellipses is the proper usage - isn't it?
Ed
An ellipsis (plural: ellipses)... See https://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/ellipses.asp
So, I think an ellipsis is a single 3 dot punctuation mark. There may be more than one used or not. If there are more than one then ellipses is the proper usage - isn't it?
Ed
Three dots means something is left out of the middle of a sentence. Four dots are used when something is left off the end of a sentence. The fourth dot is simply the period. To be correct, there should be spaces between the dots.
Dec 16, 2019 14:59:51 #
nicksr1125 wrote:
It's AS IF they're not teaching. . . .Not only misspelling words. How about using the wrong word aka: their, they're, there; two, to, too; etc. It's like they're not teaching grammar in school anymore.
dpullum wrote "If it was" is now correct vs "If it were"... subjective case?
"If" introduces a condition called "conditional subjunctive mood", and requires the plural form of the verb; a similar situation occurs when "wish" occurs--this is "volitive subjunctive". ("I wish it were. . . .")
My personal pet peeves are using "hung" instead of "hanged" when referring to death by noose, and using "less" when "fewer" is correct (referring to a smaller number of countable objects). At a meal, you can have less mashed potatoes, but fewer slices of bread.
Dec 16, 2019 15:01:38 #
goofybruce wrote:
...my pet peeve with sports announcers is to talk about the team which is losing to say "The XXXs are within two runs of tying the game."
Now, does that mean they are a run behind? One is "within" two.
Of course not.
Unless it's an introvert, two can't be inside itself.
The announcer should be saying the XXXs are two runs behind, or two runs down, or even "need two runs to tie."
Now, does that mean they are a run behind? One is "within" two.
Of course not.
Unless it's an introvert, two can't be inside itself.
The announcer should be saying the XXXs are two runs behind, or two runs down, or even "need two runs to tie."
Another thing that bugs me with sportscasters is that everything is a situation. They say "the team's in a third down situation" when they could just say "it's third down".
Dec 16, 2019 15:05:47 #
mas24 wrote:
"Ain't" is correct as the contraction of "I am not"--all other uses are incorrect. (So I have been told.)I remember when I was in 6th grade, if you said the word ain't. The lady teacher would personally confront you, and tell you to never, ever, say that word again. When I hear kids today say ain't. I reminds me of that teacher.
Dec 16, 2019 15:12:03 #
Dec 16, 2019 15:19:11 #
Mi630 wrote:
I consider "preventative" as a noun and "preventive" as an adjective.Some things are so common they are considered acceptable. Doesn’t mean it isn’t grating to hear. My pet peeve is “preventative”. I am a retired dentist and heard that word all the time. It is “preventive”. No need to throw an extra “a” in there. You don’t say “selectative” or “electative“. No need to put an extra “a” in preventive. But look in the dictionary and it is considered acceptable either way. Go figure.
Dec 16, 2019 15:25:52 #
David in Dallas wrote:
I consider "preventative" as a noun and "preventive" as an adjective.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “preventative” can be used as either a noun or an adjective, while “preventive” is an adjective only.
Dec 16, 2019 15:29:52 #
wrangler5
Loc: Missouri
David in Dallas wrote:
"Ain't" is correct as the contraction of "I am not"--all other uses are incorrect. (So I have been told.)
Are you suggesting that It Ain't Necessarily So Ain't Necessarily So? Just wondering.
Dec 16, 2019 16:42:57 #
daldds wrote:
I've got to complain to someone, so Hogs, you're t... (show quote)
I think you meant You'se guys...
Dec 16, 2019 17:02:51 #
aggiedad
Loc: Corona, ca
If you critique the athletes poor word choices you will be branded a racist or worse.
Dec 16, 2019 17:03:54 #
Dec 16, 2019 17:22:46 #
aggiedad wrote:
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. I don't care if they call me names. I'm not a public figure who needs to worry about that, and all my friends and acquaintances know better.If you critique the athletes poor word choices you will be branded a racist or worse.
Dec 16, 2019 17:29:59 #
Mi630 wrote:
Some things are so common they are considered acceptable. Doesn’t mean it isn’t grating to hear. My pet peeve is “preventative”. I am a retired dentist and heard that word all the time. It is “preventive”. No need to throw an extra “a” in there. You don’t say “selectative” or “electative“. No need to put an extra “a” in preventive. But look in the dictionary and it is considered acceptable either way. Go figure.
According to Merriam https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/preventive-or-preventative they both mean the same thing:
"There is no difference between preventive and preventative. They are both adjectives that mean "used to stop something bad from happening." Both words are commonly used in contexts concerning health care, as in "preventive/preventative medicine." Preventive, however, is used much more frequently than preventative."
Dec 16, 2019 17:37:27 #
DaveC wrote:
Not according to what I’ve found. br br The elli... (show quote)
"Ellipses" is the plural of "ellipsis." These are used to refer to the three dot punctuation mark.
An "ellipse" is the oval with 2 focal points. So, I suppose that "ellipses" would refer to multiples of this shape.
Don't you just love our language?
Ed
Dec 16, 2019 17:48:30 #
I admire you. I did not apply myself in school and now regret that I never learned the basics. Cassandra is lazy and not applying herself notes were carried home often. How I graduated after 2 years in college I will never know. Words fascinate me now especially Greek words I come across in Bible study. How precise they are. The young folks today are missing so much. I shake my head when I see how they print rather than use cursive. I am so proud of my Grandfather who wrote such beautiful cursive that he made calling cards and special occasion invitations in his day. Some in my family are college grads but do not know how to correctly address things like wedding invitations and thank you notes. I think now of how interesting it would be to have a private tutor and study all of the basics. Would be fun to see corrections you would make to this message.
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