|
Post by hubertus on Mar 5, 2012 6:22:57 GMT
Twoddle, I used the word sincerely advisedly not ironically.
I love the cut and thrust and see no shame in changing ones position through the debate. Indeed that should be one purpose of it.
I have reached a degree of enlightenment and am now in favour of the apostrophe of contraction but not of possession. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Mar 5, 2012 7:13:08 GMT
The argument regarding the possessive apostrophe is in danger of coming down to gainsaying. I remain to be convinced of the worth of distinguishing singular and plural forms in writing, other than to conform with convention. That's the whole point of using the established conventions when writing--so there is no confusion between, in this case, the singular or the plural. The point of writing is to convey your thoughts and ideas to your audience. By using non-standard spelling, apostrophe (non)use, punctuation, etc., you're creating stumbling blocks for your audience, and thus, your message. The message is what you want remembered, not that you, the author, couldn't write clearly! On a more consensual note, I withdraw, unreservedly, my objection to hyphens and apostrophes of contraction. I've modified my behaviour accordingly. ... I have reached a degree of enlightenment and am now in favour of the apostrophe of contraction but not of possession. Great! How do you feel about using the apostrophe for special constructions? For example, OK'd or cc'd? [Sort of a contraction.] Or some plurals: A's or 5's or do's?
|
|
|
Post by hubertus on Mar 5, 2012 7:44:26 GMT
;DHow do you feel about using the apostrophe for special constructions? For example, OK'd or cc'd? [Sort of a contraction.] Or some plurals: A's or 5's or do's?
I would probably use okayed and carbon copied if I were writing a novel.
I don't like apostophes in plurals. There's no need for them in conveying meaning and they are illogical: they look dangerously like greengocers apostrophes to me.
Furthermore, dos and don'ts is such a cliché that I would never use it. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Tone on Mar 5, 2012 20:41:28 GMT
>None of it's meant to be taken personally! <
True. (But then once there was Mifgus!)
Tone
|
|
|
Post by hubertus on Mar 5, 2012 21:37:12 GMT
Mifgus isn't in my dictionary nor is it googlable. I wonder what it might mean?
|
|
|
Post by Twoddle on Mar 5, 2012 22:36:32 GMT
Mifgus isn't in my dictionary nor is it googlable. I wonder what it might mean? Tone's observations are oftimes somewhat esoteric - some might even say impenetrable. Mifgus was particularly abhorrent poster who, on the APS forum, crossed the line - stormed across it, actually - between strong opinion and personal abuse. He or she (we weren't sure which) felt it appropriate and reasonable to hurl calumny at anyone who dared to challenge his/her unsupportable assertions regarding the English language or, more often, his/her/its views on linguistic education standards. Mifgus has not been heard of for several years; long may that situation continue.
|
|
|
Post by Tone on Mar 6, 2012 20:52:50 GMT
>Tone's observations are oftimes somewhat esoteric - some might even say impenetrable.<
Oh cruel! But in this case merely outdated.
Tone
|
|
|
Post by Tone on Mar 6, 2012 21:02:15 GMT
>Mifgus isn't in my dictionary nor is it googlable. I wonder what it might mean?<
Ah, but it can be found on Google.
Just search diligently.
Tone
|
|
|
Post by Alan Palmer on Mar 26, 2012 11:14:07 GMT
Here's a reply in the old APS forum saved from oblivion in The APS Forum Reference Site. Sue M-V, Dec 16th, 2005 - 11:44 AM Re: English has to be one of the hardest languages to understand I live in the vain hope that some of you timid types might one day break free of toeing the rather tragic guru-worshipping party line and actually express an original, interesting, and dissenting view
Dear Mifgus, In the unlikely event that all posters here actually agreed with you,would we still be open to the same criticism? You ought to face the fact that here, there is no party line. I'm not even sure who you think our "guru" might be. We disagree frequently about a great many things. We are all free, here, to think precisely as we wish. There is no pressure on us from any direction. There is not even really a "we", since posters here are in no way connected, but simply a random bunch of individuals who have never met. If we seem not to agree with you, it is because you have not succeeded in convincing us that you are right. You cannot bludgeon us into agreement by browbeating us with your indelicate insults. We inhabit a higher sphere, where successful arguments appeal to our intellect. We are not intimidated by bullies. I realise, from past experience, that saying this to you is like banging my head against a brick wall, but I live in the vain hope that one day, you might grow up. Yours exasperatedly, SueThat should give a flavour of the type of exchange that occurred.
|
|
|
Post by hubertus on Mar 26, 2012 17:57:38 GMT
As they say these days, "Let's move on".
|
|