Grammar, please!

AGDAlum · #1 05-31-2001, 11:16 AM

I read a post that said, "my aunt was an alumni."

Fingernails on a blackboard! Please, everyone, remember:

alumnus -- masculine, singular
alumna -- feminine, singular
alumni -- masculine or mixed, plural
alumnae -- feminine, plural

AGDAlum

ztafairy · #2 05-31-2001, 11:47 AM

It took me so long to figure that out when I became an alumna. My biological sister had to correct me on that a few times.

33girl · #3 05-31-2001, 01:51 PM

Or if you can't remember just say someone was an "alum." Slang yes, but better slang than a sex change.

shadokat · #4 05-31-2001, 02:13 PM

Alum is always my choice

Quote:

Originally posted by 33girl:
Or if you can't remember just say someone was an "alum." Slang yes, but better slang than a sex change.

SSS1365 · #5 06-01-2001, 12:44 AM

I've known that stuff for a while, as well I should after 3 years of Latin! One thing that I have problems with is that, because I took 3 years of Latin, I have a habit of pronouncing those words the way I was always taught to. For example, I pronounce -ae like "eye."

Rudey · #6 06-01-2001, 03:05 AM

I hope you're honestly just joking about this. If this is really something that bothers you...well wow. Just remember that you don't get to see the person who wrote any message. Sometimes people are in a rush. In fact, some people are known to *gasp* make mistakes. It's nothing that should be brought up, as I'm sure they don't intentionally try to make such errors. Thanks, and I hope you have a fine day.

ees125 · #7 06-01-2001, 03:56 AM

Thanks, Rudey...you hit the nail on the head. I was checking posts while I was on my lunch hour at work, and was typing rather quick. To be no the safe side, I usually do what shadokat said...use Alum. I'll try to be a little more conscious of this next time.

Eclipse · #8 06-01-2001, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey:
Just remember that you don't get to see the person who wrote any message. Sometimes people are in a rush. In fact, some people are known to *gasp* make mistakes. It's nothing that should be brought up, as I'm sure they don't intentionally try to make such errors. Thanks, and I hope you have a fine day.

Rudey,
You are right, but if people don't know the difference between alumna/alumni etc. ADGAlum was giving them information so they would know. I attended an all female college and at reunions, graduations, etc. we occasionally have vendors trying to sell us stuff that reads "Spelman College Alumni". Sorry, but "mistake" or not, that is wrong! Needless to say, they do not sell much stuff when it's written that way!

Eclipse
Spelman College Alumna!

#9 06-01-2001, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AGDAlum:
I read a post that said, "my aunt was an alumni."

Fingernails on a blackboard! Please, everyone, remember:

alumnus -- masculine, singular
alumna -- feminine, singular
alumni -- masculine or mixed, plural
alumnae -- feminine, plural

AGDAlum

Fellow sister, you are right. Knowing the proper way to write and say alumnus/i/a/ae is important. Believe it or not I bet there are some Greeks who probably don't even know the difference.

Our Leadership Advisor stressed this the other day, especially since Convention is right around the corner. She made it clear that the improper use of the word can and may offend some alumnae.

Though the alumna/us/i/ae topic isn't something that's brought up every day, it's something that all Greeks should know.

------------------
"I don't know the secret to success, but one sure way to failure is to try and please everyone."--Bill Cosby

Visit Alpha Gamma Delta-Delta Sigma chapter and help some sisters out!

Tom Earp · #10 06-01-2001, 06:01 PM

OTW, are you in any of the PIX's of your chapter and which one are you? HAY YA! Heck the Beach must get NICE ALL OF THE YEAR!

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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

#11 06-01-2001, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom Earp:
OTW, are you in any of the PIX's of your chapter and which one are you? HAY YA! Heck the Beach must get NICE ALL OF THE YEAR!

LOL Tom, I'm not revealing myself until the pages are updated with better looking pics of me! The pages should be updated within the next few weeks.

------------------
"I don't know the secret to success, but one sure way to failure is to try and please everyone."--Bill Cosby

Visit Alpha Gamma Delta-Delta Sigma chapter and help some sisters out!

Rudey · #12 06-01-2001, 08:03 PM

It's haughty for anyone to assume that they've been designated as someone's teacher. We've all made mistakes, and Eclipse a forum is very different from a business. I just want you to see my point of view. Cool? It's just slightly insulting. Should I be just as annoying and go through the posts in this topic, and point out where everyone messed up on their grammar and spelling? I think I'll spend my time studying for international finance. Thanks again

PS Wahine, I don't think anyone appointed you to tell us what all greeks should know.

#13 06-01-2001, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey:
It's haughty for anyone to assume that they've been designated as someone's teacher. We've all made mistakes, and Eclipse a forum is very different from a business. I just want you to see my point of view. Cool? It's just slightly insulting. Should I be just as annoying and go through the posts in this topic, and point out where everyone messed up on their grammar and spelling? I think I'll spend my time studying for international finance. Thanks again

PS Wahine, I don't think anyone appointed you to tell us what all greeks should know.

I don't solicit anyone's permission when giving an opinion, Rudey dear. You should know that by now.

Every Greek should know the difference. I'd hate for any Greek to be so ignorant.

33girl · #14 06-01-2001, 09:15 PM

Rudey,

I don't think anyone was trying to be haughty, it's just a reminder, and education for the non-Greeks on the board. Plus if we make an effort to use the correct terminology, it'll help educate the silly businesses like the one Eclipse mentioned.

It is kind of a pity that Latin's not taught much anymore - there are a lot of things in it, such as the root words, that help when learning vocabulary in English or any language.

James · #15 06-02-2001, 12:58 AM

I kind of like being arrogant . . . it keeps me warm at night.

I am not particularly tolerant of mistakes I make and see no reason to offer excuses for them, if I screw up I screw up and will correct the error . . . if pointed out to me.

And if I don't like the way I was corrected, or the way my error was pointed out . . . well I didn't have to screw up either.

So I believe people are perfectly correct to point out the correct way to do things, in this case the correct way to write the various versions of a graduate.

I like the word correct . . .

If we don't like to be corrected . . . well we could always choose to do it right . . . what a novel concept in America!