O/T: Grammar pendantry

[The Large One]

O/T: Grammar pedantry

We haven't had one of these threads for a while, so here goes...

There are people who say that something is 'absolutely unique' or 'completely unique'.
NO! Unique is an absolute, and therefore cannot have varying grades. It is unique or it is not.

There are people who refer to a company or organisation, and say things like 'Brighton & Hove Albion are trying to get a stadium at Falmer', or 'Joe Boggins Ltd are an equal opportunities employer.'
NO! A company is singular, so the conjugation of the verb 'to be' should be used appropriately. The third person singular conjugation of the verb 'to be' is 'is', not 'are'.

Don't get me started on the use of apostrophes on this board...

Any others which irritate you, apart from smug posts from grammar pedants? GO...

 

[REDLAND]

I feel there my be a reason why we have not had one for a while

 

[Soton Seagull]

The classic:

There, Their & They're


Whenever will people learn?

 

[pasty]

Although technically it can be used, the phrase "almost exactly" winds me up. It's either almost or it's exact.

 

[The Large One]

eats, shoots and leaves?

I view companies as a collective, so I use 'are', as they are a group of people who are doing something.

A company is a single entity, and even if it is a collective, it's only ONE collective. Therefore, the rule still applies.

 

[Safeway]

Am I alone in not really giving a f***?

 

[Faldo]

Pendantry? The art of pendant making?

 

[pasty]

isn't havnt near portsmouth

 

[Soton Seagull]

When singers say 'It goes a little something like this'

Does it go like that or not? It will go the way you sing it you 'kin idiotic school drop out

 

[aftershavedave]

I view companies as a collective, so I use 'are', as they are a group of people who are doing something.

correct, despite what tlo says

 

[The Large One]

Pendantry? The art of pendant making?

Ooops. How embarrassing...

 

[Safeway]

Wse of apostropies as well.
Its "Haven't", not "hav'nt", or "havnt"

It's 'it's', not its, seeing as 'it's' is a shortened version of 'it is'.

As for your spelling of 'wise' and 'apostrophes', well.....

 

[Reading Posh]

I view companies as a collective, so I use 'are', as they are a group of people who are doing something.

Companies are collective. Company is definitely singular and should take is

 

[Safeway]

Ooops. How embarrassing...

 

[Rangdo]

Should of instead of should have (or would of, could of etc.)

 

[Biscuit]

Am I alone in not really giving a f***?

I hope The Large One never reads any of my posts!

The only thing that I do notice is when a production is advertised as 'new and improved'.

If something is 'new' it is a whole new concept...if it is 'improved' it is the evolution of an exsisting material(s). You can't be both.

 

[The Large One]

It's 'it's', not its, seeing as 'it's' is a shortened version of 'it is'.

With the exception of when used as a possessive, then its (without the apostrophe) is used.

Afters: Sorry, but Royal Ali is incorrect about the company thing. A company is NOT plural - it is singular. The pronoun for a company is 'it', NOT 'they'. Of course, the people within the organisation are plural.

People - plural
A collection of people: singular

 

[Reading Posh]

"What time shall we meet?"

"About 3-ish"

FFS it's "about 3" or "3-ish" - how f***ing vague is 'about 3-ish'

 

[The Large One]

I hope The Large One never reads any of my posts!

The only thing that I do notice is when a production is advertised as 'new and improved'.

If something is 'new' it is a whole new concept...if it is 'improved' it is the evolution of an exsisting material(s). You can't be both.

I was inspired to start this thread after reading your Zamora story.

But you are spot on about the 'new and improved' bollocks. Advertising companies are probably the worst offenders after greengrocers.

 

[Safeway]

I usually find that the people who constantly harp on about how intelligent they are, actually aren't as clever as they think.

Rather like people who have Pit Bulls as pets, or drive 4x4s, it's about trying to feel superior.