English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
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Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
Been working with Americans again, learnt a new phrase, typically in a mail:
'Bryn, please *reach out* to soandso'
New one on me, what does it mean, where does it come from?
'Bryn, please *reach out* to soandso'
New one on me, what does it mean, where does it come from?
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
this may have been mentioned so apologies to those concerned.....but what really grinds my gears is the use of the word LIKE.....in every full / part sentence.......WHY ??????????????????
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
Cyril Haearn wrote:Been working with Americans again, learnt a new phrase, typically in a mail:
'Bryn, please *reach out* to soandso'
New one on me, what does it mean, where does it come from?
Contact, communicate with, send an email to...
cyclemad wrote:this may have been mentioned so apologies to those concerned.....but what really grinds my gears is the use of the word LIKE.....in every full / part sentence.......WHY ??????????????????
Because we're like not sure.
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Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
I hate the phrase 'stick to the speed limit'
'Keep comfortably below the maximum speed limit' is the right phrase
When I used to drive I did the latter, Constable Sargent once spotted me going especially slowly, he followed me home for a few words
Quite proud of that
Or should I be ashamed that I took his time that could have been used dealing with speeding criminals?
'Keep comfortably below the maximum speed limit' is the right phrase
When I used to drive I did the latter, Constable Sargent once spotted me going especially slowly, he followed me home for a few words
Quite proud of that
Or should I be ashamed that I took his time that could have been used dealing with speeding criminals?
Last edited by Cyril Haearn on 20 Sep 2019, 7:18pm, edited 1 time in total.
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
"Stick to" has been around for at least 150 years.
Have we got time for another cuppa?
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Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
Audax67 wrote:"Stick to" has been around for at least 150 years.
Quite so.
"Stick to" is a synonym for "adhere", one of whose meanings is "to continue to obey a rule or have a belief".
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
I think bryn's point was more along the lines that a speed limit is a maximum, rather than a target.
'stick to' the speed limit sounds like staying as close as possible.
'stick to' the speed limit sounds like staying as close as possible.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
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Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
Sticking to the cliff edge might be worth a try if one is unsure what the word means
People understand words variously, one should try to use correct language when discussing speeding crime, just as one tries to avoid using sexist or racist language
People understand words variously, one should try to use correct language when discussing speeding crime, just as one tries to avoid using sexist or racist language
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
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Cyril's linguistic walkabout: 'can' & 'may'
I do wish the moderators would correct wrong use of 'can' and 'may'
Last edited by Cyril Haearn on 26 May 2020, 7:56am, edited 1 time in total.
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Re: Clarification on swearing
Cyril Haearn wrote:I do wish the moderators would correct wrong use of 'can' and 'may'
That distinction is now part of a world that has gone. It is an anachronism. You can try to defy it, but the tide of change will just wash over you.
Re: Clarification on swearing
Is this swearing?
Let's not split infinitives or end sentences with prepositions while we're at it.
And the use of grocer's' apostrophes should be a banning offence.
Let's not split infinitives or end sentences with prepositions while we're at it.
And the use of grocer's' apostrophes should be a banning offence.
John
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Re: Clarification on swearing
pwa wrote:Cyril Haearn wrote:I do wish the moderators would correct wrong use of 'can' and 'may'
That distinction is now part of a world that has gone. It is an anachronism. You can try to defy it, but the tide of change will just wash over you.
How may one now distinguish between things that are possible but not allowed, and things that are both allowed and possible?
How might one teach children about right and wrong?
What do others think?
One wonders whether traffic policepersons are trained to use can + may correctly
I shall continue, as a sort of language policeperson, to bleat and fight for correct use of these two words in particular
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Re: Clarification on swearing
Cyril Haearn wrote:pwa wrote:Cyril Haearn wrote:I do wish the moderators would correct wrong use of 'can' and 'may'
That distinction is now part of a world that has gone. It is an anachronism. You can try to defy it, but the tide of change will just wash over you.
How may one now distinguish between things that are possible but not allowed, and things that are both allowed and possible?
How might one teach children about right and wrong?
What do others think?
One wonders whether traffic policepersons are trained to use can + may correctly
I shall continue, as a sort of language policeperson, to bleat and fight for correct use of these two words in particular
Perhaps promote the correct use of "hate" and "ignore" at the same time.
I do actually agree about the often significant difference between can and may. I can kill someone with my bare hands. I may not.
John
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Re: Clarification on swearing
Hate is an emotion
Ignore is an action, or non-action
Ignore is an action, or non-action
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Re: Clarification on swearing
Hate is both an abstract noun and a verb. As a verb it has a subject and object.
John