The Official Grammar and Style Still Matter on the Internet Thread - Page 3

MysticCat · #1 05-24-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

^^ Yup, German is crazy like that. They also might have a random verb (not just a prefix) at the end of the sentence. It would be something like, "We are going to the store to go" in English (with the infinitive verb "to go" at the end).

Lucy and RU OX Alum, isn't it the infinitive at the end of the sentence, with other verbs earlier to in the sentence?

LucyKKG · #2 05-24-2010, 04:23 PM

Yep. That's what I was trying to demonstrate. "I like potatoes to eat." Ich mag Kartoffelen essen.

Sorry, that was probably full of errors but...eek!

violetpretty · #3 05-24-2010, 04:32 PM

I admit, I have a habit of writing in fragments on GC. I'll just start a sentence with "and" or "but" and I know it's wrong, but it sounds conversational and indicates pause. Sometimes I use use "..." or "---".

Co-sign on the bit about ending sentences with prepositions. I guess we've bastardized our own language to the point where correctness sounds stuffy.

The expectation for writing for Greek Chat is not the same level as MLA or APA, but it's definitely at a higher level than texting/IM etc. It is fun to pick apart the grammar/spelling of obnoxious posters.

LucyKKG · #4 05-24-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by violetpretty

It is fun to pick apart the grammar/spelling of obnoxious posters.

Oh for SURE! It's especially funny when they talk about how smart and amazing they are.

MysticCat · #5 05-24-2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

Yep. That's what I was trying to demonstrate. "I like potatoes to eat." Ich mag Kartoffelen essen.

I'm glad I remember something from college.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

I got into a pretty heated debate the other day as to whether the use of a split infinitive was incorrect. I strongly believe [see how much better that is than any alternative?] . . . .

But "I strongly believe" isn't a split infinitive; "I was led to erroneously believe" would be a split infinitive.

A split infinitive is the seperation of "to" and the rest of the infinitive form of the verb, as in "to boldly go where no man has gone before." The grammatically "correct" construction would be "to go boldly where no man has gone before."

Kevin · #6 05-24-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'm glad I remember something from college.

But "I strongly believe" isn't a split infinitive; "I was led to erroneously believe" would be a split infinitive.

A split infinitive is the seperation of "to" and the rest of the infinitive form of the verb, as in "to boldly go where no man has gone before." The grammatically "correct" construction would be "to go boldly where no man has gone before."

Bah.

I can't even be incorrect correctly!

MysticCat · #7 05-24-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

I can't even be incorrect correctly!

Oh, don't be modest. We know you were just trying to provide a teachable moment.

Kevin · #8 05-24-2010, 05:35 PM

Can anyone confirm for me whether or not the split infinitive is still condemned by the MLA style sheet? I brought this subject up again with the same aforementioned individual in my office; and he rests his case on what was apparently the MLA style sheet used by his English professor at Grinnell circa 1961.

Drolefille · #9 05-24-2010, 05:38 PM

Couldn't find anything but one site that stated that the MLA Writer's handbook didn't mention split infinitives as of 2006.

Looks like most style guides have dropped it though. I only own the APA book and it's the last edition.

pshsx1 · #10 05-24-2010, 07:59 PM

This may sound weird, but one of my friends has been trying for the longest time to speak less "urban" and more proper (or as some may say: "talk less black").

There are only two things that bother me about his speech, though. Otherwise, it's fine.

First off, he likes to add "me" in randomly.
ex. "I'm going to get me a new shirt."

Also, he says "mines" instead of "mine." I don't blame him, though, because when I lived in the same area as him when I was younger, I was never taught that "mines" was not a word either.

LucyKKG · #11 05-24-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Of course, if you call out the other person's poor grammar and spelling, they drag out the typical "this isn't a term paper" defense. I guarantee that 8 out of 10 of these people actually suck in the writing department.

Oh, I know. I was thinking of it in a more positive way, not like I was looking for errors. Oh, I love a man who can spell "definitely" the right way!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshsx1

Also, he says "mines" instead of "mine." I don't blame him, though, because when I lived in the same area as him when I was younger, I was never taught that "mines" was not a word either.

Is it funny that I've never heard someone say "mines"? It must be a regional thing. Is it just like, "Those shoes are mines?" I can't even wrap my brain around that.

33girl · #12 05-24-2010, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

Apostrophes do not make words plural. Apostrophes do not need to precede the letter s when it happens to be at the end of a word.

I corrected this on a sign at a convenience store the other day. I just couldn't take it any more.

Dixie_Amazon · #13 08-18-2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

I corrected this on a sign at a convenience store the other day. I just couldn't take it any more.

SWTXBelle · #14 08-18-2012, 09:51 AM

How have I missed this thread all these years? Come to me, my love!

UGAalum94 · #15 08-18-2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

How have I missed this thread all these years? Come to me, my love!

Your post bumped it, and I had the exact same reaction.

I make a lot of mistakes here which I am later horrified by, but I love reading the grammar nerd level of interest in this thread.