Pedants' Corner

[DianaS]

Standard is as standard does.

I agree, and would just like to add that had it not been for a certain Dr Johnson there wouldn't be this sad state of affairs... he was of course not only misguided but actually mentally ill and quite deranged, incombant on an advanced state of syphilis I believe which was precipitated by an unhealthy interest in both prepositions and the positioning of that accursed comma.

Healthy minds don't dwell too deeply in these matters

[Baruch]

Healthy minds don't dwell too deeply in these matters

I've never claimed to have a healthy mind. I'm a teacher, for goodness' sake! An unhinged mental state is a prerequisite for the job!

[DianaS]

I've never claimed to have a healthy mind. I'm a teacher, for goodness' sake! An unhinged mental state is a prerequisite for the job!

get a grip

[Ghost]

Split infinitives
A friend got docked 5% from his write up of a science experiment for this.
"The liquid was slowly poured into the beaker"
instead of "The liquid was poured slowly into the beaker"

Science - not English! Scientists can barely spell properly (except biologists), let alone do pedantic grammar

We (quietly) asked the rest of the class and no-one had a clue what split infinitives were. I can only remember which way around the quote was thanks to Star Trek "boldy going"

Take care,
Christopher

[ChrisA]

Take care,
Christopher

Ok, you've done it...

You've posted on the Pedants' thread.

So I can ask now...

Why do you keep telling us all to take care?????????????????????

Pedantically speaking, I'd bet you don't really care one way or the other whether the entire forum population takes care or not.

If you don't, then stop it!!!!!

(but you should still stop using signals )

[Ghost]

Ok, you've done it...

You've posted on the Pedants' thread.

So I can ask now...

Really, you could have asked any time, I wouldn't have minded

Why do you keep telling us all to take care?????????????????????

There are basically three ways I sign things.
Take care
Be Well
Dance in Beauty

I'm fond of "Go your way in safety" but have only ever used it once.

Pedantically speaking, I'd bet you don't really care one way or the other whether the entire forum population takes care or not.

Cool, what did you bet? I'm a really mellow guy. You know when someone says "Make a wish"
I always go with "World Peace"

So yes, I actually do care about all of you. It's unconditional too ~ Neg rep me till my ears bleed and I'll still "wish you well" (http://www.yogabasics.com/meditation...editation.html)

If you don't, then stop it!!!!!

But I do so...

(but you should still stop using signals )

If it helps any, the only signals I use are for the Pretzel and Neckbreak and I'm working on ways to transition straight into them from other moves. Any suggestions are welcome, but it's probably safer to pm me..

Well,this is not so much a dissection for mistakes, more a complaint that the post was off topic. I mean, is it appropriate to discuss dance in the Pedant's corner?

Dance in beauty,
Christopher

[El Salsero Gringo]

Split infinitives
A friend got docked 5% from his write up of a science experiment for this.
"The liquid was slowly poured into the beaker"
instead of "The liquid was poured slowly into the beaker

How on earth can it be a split infinitive, when it's not an infinitive? It's a past participle being used to form a past historic verb form in the passive voice. Dock that science teacher a month's pay and tell him to stick to science and leave the English lessons to someone else.

[ChrisA]

If it helps any, the only signals I use are for the Pretzel and Neckbreak and I'm working on ways to transition straight into them from other moves.

Well you're making progress....

But I promise you that neither move requires a signal.

Dance in beauty,

Er thank you. You will, maybe, when you stop using the stinkin' signals...

[Ghost]

How on earth can it be a split infinitive, when it's not an infinitive? It's a past participle being used to form a past historic verb form in the passive voice. Dock that science teacher a month's pay and tell him to stick to science and leave the English lessons to someone else.

Pity I didn't know you back then. The last I heard she'd moved to France... heaven help them.
Take care,
Christopher

[Ghost]

Well you're making progress....

Good to know

Er thank you. You will, maybe, when you stop using the stinkin' signals...

Be Well,
Christopher

[Baruch]

get a grip

and ? I'm confused.

Maybe I should have put a or a with my earlier post.

[DianaS]

and ? I'm confused.

Maybe I should have put a or a with my earlier post.

Your talking to an ex-lecturer in psychology
Put what you like, I'm just barking wroooof wwwwwrooooooooof!!!

[DianaS]

Help. Is criteria single or plural?
ie this there one criteria and many criterion?

[David Bailey]

Help. Is criteria single or plural?

Plural, technically.

ie this there one criteria and many criterion?

The other way round. Although technical usage and common usage differ, and I think people now use "criteria" for single and plural.

And I still wince when I hear people say "referendums" - and this is on Radio 4...

[DianaS]

Thanks David
It doesn't seem to say in my online dictionary!

[DavidY]

Our corporate style guide is now insisting that "data" should be treated as a singular.

So we should say "the data was accurate" instead of "the data were accurate".

I believe the latter is technically correct but not common usage.

[El Salsero Gringo]

Plural, technically.


The other way round. Although technical usage and common usage differ, and I think people now use "criteria" for single and plural.

They do? Slap them down with a kipper. What's wrong with 'criterion'? It's a beautiful word.

And I still wince when I hear people say "referendums" - and this is on Radio 4...

Wasn't that part of Greg Dyke's influence? Or Birtism? One loses track.

[David Bailey]

What's wrong with 'criterion'? It's a beautiful word.

Yes, sounds all science-fictiony doesn't it

But, it's a dying usage.

Wasn't that part of Greg Dyke's influence? Or Birtism? One loses track.

Don't ask me, I just listen to the stuff.

I only really noticed it a few months ago with all the kerfuffle about the European referenda on the EU constitution - and the most depressing thing from that I remember is that they were interviewing a Dutch politician who said "referenda" and all the British interviewees said "referendums".

As for the "data" thing, I'm not quite so pedantic (am I in the right place?), simply because it sounds weird to me, to say "the data are...". I know, it's subjective, but you have to go with the flow with a language like English. Also, you could just about make a case that "data" is short for "a group of information", so can be used in the singular.

Oooh, maybe I am in the right place after all

[Saxylady]

Also, you could just about make a case that "data" is short for "a group of information", so can be used in the singular.

That's how I'd see it. But what would I know, having been educated in the 60's and 70's, with no formal grammar teaching, I have to go by what feels right - wouldn't dare be pedantic about anything without looking it up first (at least someone taught me how to do that!).

And Data on Star Trek was quite singular.

[Baruch]

having been educated in the 60's and 70's, with no formal grammar teaching, I have to go by what feels right

I can relate, and isn't it annoying? Most of what I know about grammar and spelling is despite my education, not because of it. For someone from my generation, I think I have a fairly good grasp of both, but I'm in the minority. In fact, even among primary school teachers I think I'm in the minority, which is a bit worrying!