Bad English In Thread Titles

[LeBuick]

ps
I think those who use the stupid phrase "he or she" should be banned:tonofbricks:

I agree, every third grader knows it should be (s)he... :laugh:

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

Do this mean that bad grammer will get youall baned. :laugh:

Salty

ps
I think those who use the stupid phrase "he or she" should be banned:tonofbricks:

Sorry about that. It is either that or incorrectly using "they" in a singular context. Or one could use "(s)he" (which I think is worse) or just use "he" and assume that everyone knows that you mean that in a gender neutral manner.

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

How we speak is often a reflection of what we read on a regular basis. The reading of good literature will reflect itself on how we communicate, and this is important when we enter the pulpit and expound on God's word. Another important point here includes our audience. If we have children in audience there is no point in addressing an English professor. Our pulpit language must address the congregants. What the child will understand will readily be understood by the lawyer, teacher or average listener.

Cheers,

Jim

Good point Jim. But even when children are in the congregation, there's no need for a pastor to use incorrect grammar. Not to be a language snob, but ...

 

[Amy.G]

Anyone ever heerd of spell check? :laugh:

 

[Rippon]

It is either that or incorrectly using "they" in a singular context. Or one could use "(s)he" (which I think is worse) or just use "he" and assume that everyone knows that you mean that in a gender neutral manner.

It isn't necessarily incorrect to use "they" or "their" when actually referencing one person or thing. Written English has had a long and distinguised habit of doing just that.

I just happen to have A History Of The English Language (by Baugh and Cable) at my desk.the following is from page 339.

There is precedence, however, for the simplest solution to the problem of pronoun agreement in gender, and that is lack of agreement in number, as in the sentence with which we began: "Everybody should button their coat." English, which once distinguished between singular thou, thee, thy and plural ye, you, your in the second person, has had plural you, your as the standard form for the past four centuries. An extension of the plural they, their to certain singular contexts would cause no more disruption in syntax than the change in the second person, and of course it already shows up in informal usage, as in the sentence quoted.

 

[Alcott]

But now, the second person plural is y'all.

 

[Rippon]

But now, the second person plural is y'all.

Y'all is getting to be kind of a standard at least in spoken form.

But then come the variations : ya'll, yawl, yaw and you-all.

 

[Jim1999]

My authorities for the English language are:

The Oxford Dictionary and The King's English by Fowler and Fowler, 1906, Oxford University Press.

For Canadian English, I use Learning to Write by Ernest H. Winter, 1939, Macmillan Company of Canada.

Perhaps a little aged, but then, so am I.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Jon-Marc]

I made straight A's in English all through school and college. I am also a published writer and I still make mistakes with my spelling and grammar. Good grief! Nobody is perfect.

Making mistakes is one thing (I certainly make my share of them, but I correct them), but a whole long post of nothing BUT mistakes? Sorry, but I find that unreadable, and I see it quite often. I proofread before and after posting, and I often use the "Edit" feature.

 

[LeBuick]

Sorry about that. It is either that or incorrectly using "they" in a singular context. Or one could use "(s)he" (which I think is worse) or just use "he" and assume that everyone knows that you mean that in a gender neutral manner.

Just an FYI... My comment was sarcasm and wasn't directed at any one. As bad as me english is, I am the last to criticize someone elsess..

 

[Jon-Marc]

antennae or antennea. :tonofbricks:

Neither of those is correct. It's spelled "antenna". :tongue3:

 

[Jon-Marc]

I agree, every third grader knows it should be (s)he... :laugh:

I use he/she.

 

[Alcott]

Neither of those is correct. It's spelled "antenna".

Antenna is singular; antennae is plural... although one dictionary I consulted listed antennae and antennas as plural.

 

[Revmitchell]

That's a poorly constructed sentence. Permit me to reword it. : "At times anyone may be prone to typos. Those who nitpick about it are childish."

I disagree. And may I point out that here you are making mistakes in your post -- not just in a thread title.

No one really cares. It has little to no value on a forum. Especially to those who do not take forums all that seriously. But feel free to maintain your anxiety over it all.

 

[Palatka51]

Of course, I'd say "Poor English In Thread Titles" .

How about, "Butchered English in Thread Titles?":laugh:

 

[Jim1999]

For those troubled with antenna, what is wrong with aerial?

Proper English is never out of place whether we use two pence words or fifty pound words. Understanding is the key.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Rippon]

No one really cares.[about poor English --Rip] It has little to no value on a forum. Especially to those who do not take forums all that seriously.

Hmm, so I take it that your political posts are not to be taken that seriously?

 

[Salty]

I use he/she.

I use they! - even for the singular

 

[abcgrad94]

For those troubled with antenna, what is wrong with aerial?

Jim, I am talking about the things that stick out of a bugs head, like feelers. I think an aerial is what Brits call antenna for the TV, am I right?

 

[Alcott]

Yes, you're right. Jim, ain't you ever gonna learn English?