[ElFlaco]

(10-04-2017 04:12 PM)AntiMediocrity Wrote:  

If you really want to be a grammar nazi it's worth googling to check if there's a reason why people use the alternative and if it's valid.

The original sin of this thread is the belief that if someone uses a word differently, they've necessarily committed an error. People have irrationally strong reactions to what is benign variation in elite usage (e.g., math vs. maths).

[debeguiled]

(10-04-2017 04:38 PM)ElFlaco Wrote:  

(10-04-2017 04:12 PM)AntiMediocrity Wrote:  

If you really want to be a grammar nazi it's worth googling to check if there's a reason why people use the alternative and if it's valid.

The original sin of this thread is the belief that if someone uses a word differently, they've necessarily committed an error. People have irrationally strong reactions to what is benign variation in elite usage (e.g., math vs. maths).

So now I have to let people hurl epitaphs? To the living?

[Conscious Pirate]

(10-04-2017 04:12 PM)AntiMediocrity Wrote:  

(10-02-2017 03:07 PM)Fender_Bender Wrote:  

Someone already said "conversate" (which must stem from the B.I.G. Big Poppa song) but it reminded me of another.

"Orientate" - I hear this one much more often than the shorter, simpler, and correct "orient."

https://www.dailywritingtips.com/do-you-...-yourself/

Quote:

In the UK, it is more common for people to say “orientate” whereas in the US, “orient” is more common. Writers in both countries sometimes bemoan the usage of the alternative word. In fact, both words are acceptable according to the dictionaries.

If you really want to be a grammar nazi it's worth googling to check if there's a reason why people use the alternative and if it's valid. (Me) personally I feel like to orient means to dress up like someone from a specific Asian demographic.

That's just hilarious Engrish. Which specific Asian demographic? Isn't the "Orient" all of them?

I'll settle this debate right now. In the OP, I referred to the Queen's English, as in from England. You Seppos will rub in your shitty independence any way you can.

[debeguiled]

I had to look up "seppo." Always good to learn more of the Queen's English.

[kosko]

Kosko here to piss all over the thread..

I've likely provided many here with heart attacks over my glorious butchering of the English language in many of my posts here; make note that 90% of my posts I here are done via phone which is a toss away for really focused writing.

The point I want to make is that improvement comes from practice and I have, albeit, slowly, been improving my writing skills with a grammar app called Gramarly. The app is not perfect but it helps with sentence structure and word usage but isn't good for spell check or anything so you still have to sleuth that out. Over time I have found less mistakes with my drafts when I take them time on them with the app, it's a good sidekick to have, especially for emails where you don't want to sound like complete idiot when emailing important people.

Nexy, I'm looking for ways not to further improve my writing. I don't look to be an expert or great at it, but it would be good to get to a stage where I can spend less time on it and learn to write well in a more effective and expedient manner.

Wondering if anyone has tips on resources online that help?

Also, for those looking to improve I find an odd way to get better at writing is to listen and read British media. The British have quirks in how they speak, but overall, their traditional way of communication is succient and free of phrasing errors. I try to write now how a British person would say it, if that makes any sense, and I find it helps with structure and prhasing. My personal view is that North America English is a dumpster fire and isn't easy to pick up on, versus traditional British English which is more formal and more mechanical in how words and phrases are structured, but, it also has a more flowing way that they out words together that just makes sense even if it may be more formal then what we are used to with word choices.

So then my last question... how best to minimize the passive voice? It may be my beta past and the Canadian in me but passive language is the biggest flags I get in my grammar app and folks make comments on it when proofreading my drafts at school.

[debeguiled]

Gibe, jibe, jive.

Know the difference?


http://grammarist.com/usage/gibe-jibe-jive/

Quote:

Gibe refers to a taunt or a derisive remark. It functions as both a verb (to taunt) and a noun (taunt). Jibe has a nautical use (relating to turning the sail to go on an opposite tack), but it’s most often used to mean agree or to be in accord. Jive refers to either jazz music, dancing, or nonsense talk, although it can sound old-fashioned or ironic in its senses unrelated to dance. It functions as both a noun (for the dance, music, or talk) and a verb (to engage in the dance, music, or talk).

"Members lightheartedly gibed Valeriote when he said they joined the cause “with little or no convincing."

"How Conrad’s budget resolution will jibe with what Ryan puts out is anyone’s guess."

"Soviet Delegate Andrei Vishinsky revealed in the General Assembly Thursday that he is hep to American jive."

What else?

If you know this, you have taken it too far:

"A fourth word, gybe, is an alternative spelling of the nautical sense of jibe."

While it is not grammatically incorrect, if I ever hear any of you say you are "hep to" anything, I will slap you with a beatnik's hat full of nickels.

We gotta know this stuff, because we are better than Jennifer Garner:

[Conscious Pirate]

What would be the correct collective noun for Trannies?

My first thought was "a mob". So I looked it up...

Quote:

of, relating to, or characteristic of a lawless, irrational, disorderly, or riotous crowd: mob rule; mob instincts.

These people are not necessarily lawless (unless we're talking natural here), they definitely are irrational & disorderly. Only some are riotous. They are not fit to rule, & their instincts are way off.

So that can't be right.

Next I thought, "...gaggle. That's it!". Turns out, it's true enough, but I find it lacking...

Quote:

a group, aggregation, or cluster lacking organization

Yes, much too general.

So thank god I have RVF & the Grammar Nazi Thread to settle this. A penny for your thoughts, gents?

[YoungBlade]

A train of trannies.

Now where's my fucking penny.

[Conscious Pirate]

This is cutting-edge grammar genesis, YoungBlade. I think it is incumbent (had to look that one up) upon you to explain your reasoning behind this proposal.

[YoungBlade]

Alluring alliteration, you filibustering philistine!

Though alliteration is unnecessary for terms of venery.

Examples:
A sleuth of bears
A congregation of alligators
A Parliament of owls
A streak of tigers
A shrewdness of apes
A clowder of cats
A convocation of eagles

Etc.

[ed pluribus unum]

Here's one for aspiring grammar nazis, but also if you're trying to help out someone who's trying to learn english:

Quote:

Adjectives in English absolutely have to be in this order: opinion-size-age-shape-colour-origin-material-purpose noun. So you can have a lovely little old rectangular green French silver whittling knife.

Something that, as a native english speaker, I just knew but probably would not have been able to lay out so clearly.

[realologist]

One that bothers me.

When people say "likeded". What the fuck is that. You either like something or you liked something.

[5-7 Hedonist]

Great topic for a thread.

[Conscious Pirate]

Achtung! As a card carrying Grammar Nazi (albeit a grunt) I am getting the shits with AutoCorrect on RVF. I don't know what's to blame. I'm just being a nazi about it.

Trying to write "fuckable" comes out "faceable", which takes time to correct & this just won't do. I might have to gas some jews for this.

Here's proof.



Send this up the chain, Heinz!




Also,"Achtung" comes out "Acting". This is very subtle gay programming, but I see it Roosh!

[YoungBlade]

You're getting the shits? Time to get some immodium.

[Tex Cruise]

This song shits me

It should be "Asphalt and Portland Concrete" or something like that.

Why won't somebody think of the aggregate?