Grammar Discussions

[Captain Halliday]

Is that the American Defense?

Yes. At Sea World San Diego it would be fine. Not at Sea World on the Gold Coast where the pic was taken.

 

[Julesmac]

Yes. At Sea World San Diego it would be fine. Not at Sea World on the Gold Coast where the pic was taken.

Even commentators say offense and defense now. When talking about Aussie Rules. Only - they say O-fence and Dee fense
I loathe the use of 'impacted' which was well known and loved as a noun when I went to school. Now it's a verb. Magic!

 

[JessicaTam]

Even commentators say offense and defense now. When talking about Aussie Rules. Only - they say O-fence and Dee fense
I loathe the use of 'impacted' which was well known and loved as a noun when I went to school. Now it's a verb. Magic!

A bit like 'incentivise'. Blech!

 

[Deleted member]

A bit like 'incentivise'. Blech!

Bigley

 

[Hvr]

Sometimes you really do need the grammar police and not the regular police.

 

[Mattg]

Surely the word "off" is superfluous here?

 

[Captain Halliday]

As language changes, this one may not be clear-cut. But it was tempting to erase the redundant ‘s’.

 

[JessicaTam]

As language changes, this one may not be clear-cut. But it was tempting to erase the redundant ‘s’.View attachment 223485

Hmm, I would have said 'one pair, two pairs'.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Hmm, I would have said 'one pair, two pairs'.

I would also use that since it's using the plural of pair, so pairs.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Hmm, I would have said 'one pair, two pairs'.

I would also use that since it's using the plural of pair, so pairs.

I did say it may not be clear-cut, but “pair” was one of the singular/plural duplications that was drummed into me at school along with:

Fish (and individual species, eg. Barramundi)
Aircraft
Deer
Canon
Offspring

 

[TheRealTMA]

I did say it may not be clear-cut, but “pair” was one of the singular/plural duplications that was drummed into me at school along with:

Fish (and individual species, eg. Barramundi)
Aircraft
Deer
Canon
Offspring

However, I’m afraid like a lot of old remembered teaching, this is incorrect. Unlike those above the plural of pair is pairs. Look up the Macquarie dictionary definitions or see this one PAIR | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary

Plus, English pair derives from Latin “par” which has a plural of “pars”.

Although rare usage, “fishes” is also valid under some circumstances. I would also probably question the plural of cannon as well.

 

[Captain Halliday]

However, I’m afraid like a lot of old remembered teaching, this is incorrect. Unlike those above the plural of pair is pairs. Look up the Macquarie dictionary definitions or see this one PAIR | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary

Plus, English pair derives from Latin “par” which has a plural of “pars”.

Although rare usage, “fishes” is also valid under some circumstances. I would also probably question the plural of cannon as well.

Thanks for the link and confirmation that both are acceptable in the plural form.



As I said in my OP it’s not clear cut.

It’s also not worth squabbling over. To do so might incur the wrath of a pair of moderator.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Thanks for the link and confirmation that both are acceptable in the plural form.

View attachment 223500

As I said in my OP it’s not clear cut.

It’s also not worth squabbling over. To do so might incur the wrath of a pair of moderator.

Oh yes. It’s not a “squabble“, just a discussion on grammar. Gives our life meaning during CV when we can’t travel! And gives moderators something to comment on which is arguable.

Grammar is often not absolute or clear cut, unless you are talking about collective nouns and verbs.

I/we welcome your future discussions.

Now what about the subjunctive? One of my passions in Italian and Spanish... Be that as it may.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Possibly more appropriate in the humour thread, but on the subject of plurals...

It’s been said the plural of Shiraz is “dozen”.

While the plural of dozen is “hangover”.

 

[Hvr]

So if I have one pair of pants only one body is covered. I don't have another pair to compare them against.


Yet one pair of socks covers both feet. And I can compare each sock against the other.

 

[tgh]

Hmm Loaves and fish huh .. lotta biblical editing required

 

[wandering_fred]

The sky is falling.
The end of grammar in the English language is nigh....
Well so this news site says.
The English department at a public university declared that proper English grammar is racist.

Excuse me, I have other places to be wandering
Fred

 

[Deleted member]

The sky is falling.
The end of grammar in the English language is nigh....
Well so this news site says.
The English department at a public university declared that proper English grammar is racist.

Excuse me, I have other places to be wandering
Fred

The insanity !

 

[Julesmac]

Speaking of singular and plural - looking at an old catalogue from a clothing company which informed me that my wardrobe could only be improved by a 'slim black trouser'

 

[TheRealTMA]

Just a matter of Style.

'Out of control': Australia has a new style manual, but not everyone is happy

‘You can pry em dashes out of my cold, dead hands,’ dismisses one critic of the digital update’s punctuation guidance

www.theguardian.com