Grammar Discussions

[JohnK]

Demonstrated your lack of knowledge of pop references?

Not quite but close.

 

[Warks]

I've been reading a lot of out-of-copyright books on my phone in recent months. Mostly they date from the late 1800s-early 1900s. I've noticed a lot of words we put together now were two words back then.

Every thing. Any thing. Every where. May be.
Used to see to-day and to-morrow up to the 50s at least.

Also some weird spelling. Conan Doyle uses 'clew' for clue in some Sherlock Holmes stories. Twain uses 'staid' for stayed and spells ankle as 'ancle'.

Orwell's protagonist in one book borrows money 'off' people (not from).

There are a lot more. I should collect all these.

 

[anat0l]

May be.

Not all the time! Well, at least I don't think so. For example:

There may be a chance of rain tomorrow.

I can't see that writing "maybe" in place of the two words above is appropriate. However, it would be OK in the following context:

If he only cared about her more, then maybe he wouldn't have been kicked out of the house.

In this case, writing "may be" would not make much sense.

 

[Peter D]

Orwell's protagonist in one book borrows money 'off' people (not from).

Used to be fairly common but not so much now.

Sometimes we over censure ourselves these days when we needn't.

My now twenty years old Macquarie writers guide allows off/from as alternatives. I.e. "I will buy it off you"

However it does caution its use in formal essays as some people might think it is incorrect and misjudge you.

 

[Warks]

Used to be fairly common but not so much now.

Sometimes we over censure ourselves these days when we needn't.

My now twenty years old Macquarie writers guide allows off/from as alternatives. I.e. "I will buy it off you"

However it does caution its use in formal essays as some people might think it is incorrect and misjudge you.

Anything is better than the American "I will buy it off of you."

 

[prodaroda]

Anything is better than the American "I will buy it off of you."

Can you explain this one? I always thought they're both correct.

 

[coco50]

Anything is better than the American "I will buy it off of you."

The Australian Government Style Guide is a better work than the Macquarie writers guide

 

[Peter D]

Can you explain this one? I always thought they're both correct.

The "of" shouldn't be there at all.

"Off" on its own is OK. "From" is a good substitute and perhaps clearer.

 

[prozac]

The Australian Government Style Guide is a better work than the Macquarie writers guide

Unfortunately a paid publication. Possibly less imposing but maybe department specific is Style Manual Tasmania Department of Treasury and Finance. It is however digital and free. https://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/dtf.nsf/LookupFiles/Style-Manual.pdf/$file/Style-Manual.pdf

 

[coco50]

Unfortunately a paid publication. Possibly less imposing but maybe department specific is Style Manual Tasmania Department of Treasury and Finance. It is however digital and free. https://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/dtf.nsf/LookupFiles/Style-Manual.pdf/$file/Style-Manual.pdf

I have no objection to paying for something that is good quality. As an author of more than 10 books with three currently in reprint, I need to put out a copy that is consistent with the best practice in Australia. This is even though I have an editor to pull me up short when I get it wrong.

 

[medhead]

Interesting meme seen on facebook that compares the killing of the gorilla for potentially harming a child, with low life scum that, and I quote, "legitimately" harm children.

Talk about a failure to suggest there is anything legitimate about the actions of the low life scum.

 

[prozac]

I have no objection to paying for something that is good quality. As an author of more than 10 books with three currently in reprint, I need to put out a copy that is consistent with the best practice in Australia. This is even though I have an editor to pull me up short when I get it wrong.

Sadly I have yet to write any books, articles, comics and so the book is not a tax deduction for me. If I could afford it I wouldn't be flying on points.

 

[Hvr]

Can you find the grammatical error?

The answer is in this article:
TfL poster campaign containing embarrassing grammar mistake cost nearly £100,000 | London | News | London Evening Standard

 

[JessicaTam]

Can you find the grammatical error?

The answer is in this article:
TfL poster campaign containing embarrassing grammar mistake cost nearly £100,000 | London | News | London Evening Standard

Phew. I was right.

 

[anat0l]

Can you find the grammatical error?

...


The answer is in this article:
TfL poster campaign containing embarrassing grammar mistake cost nearly £100,000 | London | News | London Evening Standard

Phew. I was right.

I'll plead that I'm really, really tired, but I missed it. Then when I read the answer, I kind of think I would have made the same error.

I assume one way that the text may be corrected includes:

TfL don't make a profit because we reinvest all our income to run and improve your services

In order to keep doesn't, TfL would need to be referred to in the third person singular, which would result in the rather awkward correction:

TfL doesn't make a profit because it reinvests all of its income to run and improve your services

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'll plead that I'm really, really tired, but I missed it. Then when I read the answer, I kind of think I would have made the same error.

I assume one way that the text may be corrected includes:

TfL don't make a profit because we reinvest all our income to run and improve your services

In order to keep doesn't, TfL would need to be referred to in the third person singular, which would result in the rather awkward correction:

TfL doesn't make a profit because it reinvests all of its income to run and improve your services

I dunno - I would have thought it could equally read 'tfl' (single entity) 'doesn't make profit' because 'we' (the board of governors or whatever) invest all the income in the business.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I'll plead that I'm really, really tired, but I missed it. Then when I read the answer, I kind of think I would have made the same error.

I assume one way that the text may be corrected includes:

TfL don't make a profit because we reinvest all our income to run and improve your services

In order to keep doesn't, TfL would need to be referred to in the third person singular, which would result in the rather awkward correction:

TfL doesn't make a profit because it reinvests all of its income to run and improve your services

TfL is a collective noun so can be used in different contexts, although usually not in the same sentence. Personally, I don't have a problem with the original. (Or they/it could be using the Royal 'we'.)

 

[RooFlyer]

I photographed this at the Temple of Apollo in Turkey:

 

[JessicaTam]

As Apollo was the god of music and poetry, grammar was never going to be a priority!

 

[Foreigner]

These are one-liners that you really don't want people to use to describe you. It's nicer to use these though instead of calling someone an idiot. But be careful - if someone is intelligent and you use one of these babies on them, you may end up with a black eye!


1. Not the brightest light in the harbor.

2. The light's on but no one's home.

3. Not the brightest bulb in the box.

4. A few screws short of a hardware store.

5. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

6. A few cards short of a deck.

7. A few fries short of a Happy Meal.

8. About as sharp as a marble.

9. Only has one oar in the water.

10. Smart as a bag of rocks.

11. A burger short of a combo meal.

12. The elevator doesn't go all the way to the top floor.

13. A few peas short of a casserole.

14. A few keys short of a keyboard.

15. Not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree.

16. The gates are down and the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.

17. As smart as a stick.

18. Fell out of the stupid tree and hit every branch on the way down.

19. An intellect rivaled only by garden tools.

20. Has an IQ of room temperature.

21. Couldn't pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel.

22. Not the brightest crayon in the box.

23. One twist short of a slinky.

24. Sharp as a sack of wet mice.

25. More numb than a frozen mukluk.

26. Not the sharpest crayon in the box

27. Not the sharpest tool in the shed

28. They are depriving some village of its idiot.

29. A few threads short of a sweater.

30. A few sandwiches short of a picnic.

31. Driveway doesn't quite reach the road.

32. The battery is not fully charged.

33. About as sharp as a bowling ball.

34. Dumber than a bag of hammers.

35. Two bricks short of a load.

36. A few clowns short of a circus.

37. A few beers short of a six-pack.

38. Dumber than a box of hair.

39. A few tacos short of a fiesta platter.

40. All foam no beer.

41. As smart as bait.

42. Chimney's clogged.

43. Doesn't have all his dogs on one leash.

44. Forgot to pay his brain bill.

45. The antenna doesn't pick up all the channels.

46. His belt doesn't go through all the loops.

47. Another brain would be lonely.

48. Missing a few buttons on his remote control.

49. No grain in the silo.

50. Proof that evolution CAN go in reverse.

51. Receiver is off the hook.

52. Has a leak in the skylight.

53. Too much yardage between the goal posts.

54. Dumb as a donkey.

55. Not all the soldiers are marching in line.

56. Dumber than paint.

57. Half a bubble off plumb.

58. A few fruit loops shy of a full bowl.

59. Donated his brain to science before he was done with it.

60. A few shades beyond blonde.

61. Has to take turns for the family brain-cell.

62. A few watts short of a light bulb.

63. Dumb as a stump.

64. Running on 3 cylinders.

65. A few Bradys short of a bunch.

66. Has the parachute but is missing the ripcord.

67. Would lose a debate with a doorknob.

68. Has an IQ lower than plant life.

69. All telephone, no receiver.

70. One ski short of a snowmobile.

71. Wouldn't know if they were on foot or horseback.

72. The logs are ablaze but the chimney is clogged.

73. Eats soup with a fork.

74. The wheel is spinning but the hamster fell off (or is dead).

75. The cheese slid off his cracker.

76. The engine is running but nobody is behind the wheel.

77. A few fuses short of a full circuit.

78. A tire short of an eighteen wheeler.

79. Doesn't have all the chairs at the table.

80. Dumber than a bag of rocks.

81. A shining example of why you should avoid inbreeding.

82. A few pecans short of a fruitcake.

83. As fruity as a bag of Skittles™

84. Would argue with a signpost.

85. If you gave them a penny for their thoughts, you'd get change.

86. Dumb as a salt shaker.

87. Has a mind like a steel trap: rusty and illegal in 37 states.

88. Knitting with only one needle.

89. The result of too much chlorine in the gene pool.

90. Not the brightest bulb in the chandalier.

91. Not the quickest bunny in the forest.

92. The hard drive is spinning but the OS hasn't been installed.

93. Not exactly running on all thrusters.

94. A few toppings short of a Deluxe Pizza.

95. A few burgers short of a barbecue.

96. A few roos loose in the top paddock.

97. The wind is blowing but nothing is moving.

98. The umbrella is up but there's no rain.

99. A few colors short of a rainbow.

100. As bright as a lamp in Aladdin's cave.

101. The boat doesn't have all the oars in the water.

102. A few boats short of a fleet.

103. A monosynaptic cretin (Don't understand it? 'nuff said)

104. A few noodles short of a chow mein.

105. A few bristles short of a broom.

106. A few snags short of a barbie.

107. Doesn't know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt.

108. Hasn't seen the ball since kickoff.

109. The relative IQ of a deck chair.

110. A poster child for birth control.

111. A few players short of a team.

112. Couldn't hit the floor if he fell on it.

113. A few sheep short of a flock.

114. If you stand close enough to them you can hear the sea.

115. They have an IQ lower than their shoe size.

116. A few gunmen short of a posse.

117. As sharp as a pound of wet liver.

118. Not the quickest horse in the stable.

119. Has a full six-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy that holds them all together.

120. Most people drink from the fountain of knowledge, they only gargled.

121. Not the fastest ship in the fleet.

122. Ten cents short of a dollar.

123. A few boxes short of a pallet.

124. A few grams short of a pound.

125. Shipped but not delivered.

126. A few springs short of a watch.

127. A few bits short of a byte.

128. Only has half a cord in the woodshed.

129. The elevator goes to the top but the doors don't open.

130. A cup and a saucer short of a place setting.

131. If their nose was on upside down they'd drown in the rain.

132. Three ice bricks shy of an igloo.

133. A few marshmallows short of a bowl of Lucky Charms.

134. A few bales short of a wagon load.

135. Couldn't find their way out of a paper bag.

136. A few needles short of a sewing kit.

137. One IQ point above brain death.

138. Any slower and he'd need to be watered once a week.

139. Playing hockey with a warped puck.

140. All booster, no payload.

141. Has some lug nuts rattling in the hubcaps.

142. Nice house, not much furniture.

143. Was hiding behind the door when they passed out brains.

144. One board member short of a quorum.

145. Batteries not included.

146. Lost contact with the mothership.

147. A few cracker jacks short of a full box.

148. A few yards short of a touchdown.

149. Not the sharpest pitchfork in the barn.

150. A few cowboys short of a rodeo.

151. He's got a bow but no arrows.

152. A couple pineapples shy of a luau.

153. A few roots shy of an apple tree.

154. The phone's on but there's no reception.

155. If brains were dynamite, they couldn't blow their hat off.

156. If brains were dynamite, they wouldn't have enough to blow their nose.

157. A quick as a snail crossing super-glue.

158. If brains were webbing, they couldn't put a set of gaiters on a sparrow.

159. His corn bread isn't done in the middle.

160. A few leftovers short of a bread pudding.

161. Not singing from the same hymn sheet.

162. Not wrapped too tight.

163. Not all the dots are on the dice.

164. Have had more meaningful conversations with a brick wall.

165. A few plums short of a pie

166. Ran out of gas before their car.

167. Nice cage, but no bird

168. Left the scene before his body.

169. A few dollars short of a paycheck

170. That bats are out of the bellfry.

171. Has a 4-wheel drive but only three are spinning.

172. A few Prozac short of a prescription.

173. Can't find their butt with two hands and a road map.

174. A couple shakes short of a sauce bottle.

175. A few people short of a party.

176. A pinky shy of a hand.

177. A few leaves short of a bush.

178. Not the tallest tree in the forest.

179. Numb as a hake.

180. Not the fastest car on the track.

181. Couldn't hit a target with an atomic bomb.

182. The laptop's on but there's no internet connection.

183. Not the crunchiest chip in the bag.

184. If they had a brain they'd be on the floor playing with it.

185. One slice shy of a loaf.

186. Out in left field without a catchers mitt.

187. A few megabytes short of a gig.

188. A few electrons short of an isotope.

189. A few grapes short of a fruit salad.

190. If he went any slower he'd have to speed up to stop.

191. Candy bowl not quite full.

192. Fiddle's not in tune.

193. If brains were electricity, they wouldn't have enough to light a firefly.

194. Their dipstick doesn't reach the oil.

195. A few feathers short of a duck.

196. They aren't the most absorbent sponge in the sink.

197. Their dog teaches them new tricks.

198. A few whiskers short of a kitten.

199. The bicycle works but the training wheels wobble.

200. The army invades but they're full of beans.

201. Is a lost ball in high weeds.

202. The pilot light has gone out.

203. Running a quart low.

204. Brother was an only child.

205. Biscuits aren't quite baked.

206. Have too many moving parts and only one string.

207. Conducting without an orchestra.

208. An open book but the pages are blank.

209. Has one wheel in the sand.

210. Not the crispest shirt in the closet. (used in The Persuader by Lee Child)

211. The phone's connected but there's no dial tone.

212. Would change a tire in the fast lane.

213. As sharp as a mashed potato.

214. Hit bottom and kept digging.

215. An olive short of a martini.

216. No seeds in their pumpkin.

217.

218. Slow as a slug on dope.

219. A few carrots short of a carrot cake.

220. Not rowing with both oars.

221. Has a mind like steel...wool.

222. Tuppence short of a bob.

223. Not the sharpest cheese in the bin.

224. A few atoms short of critical mass.

225. Not the brightest button in the blouse.