Dardandec Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 The misuse of "a" and "an" I have been for "a" walk, seen sentences like this with "an" which just doesn't sound right. I have been for "an" walk. I have just seen "an" elephant, same again the other way round. I have just seen "a" elephant, just doesn't sound right. How do people struggle with this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john carr Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 The misuse of "a" and "an" I have been for "a" walk, seen sentences like this with "an" which just doesn't sound right. I have been for "an" walk. I have just seen "an" elephant, same again the other way round. I have just seen "a" elephant, just doesn't sound right. How do people struggle with this? You have made that up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dardandec Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 You have made that up. Not made up pal, your obviously not intelligent enough to pick up on bad grammar like I posted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alternageek Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Forget the nitwits,its the American spellchecker on here that gets my goat! Makes me doubt my spelling all the time lol. I'm sure there must be an option to change it somewhere,but I just haven't bothered to luck:o for it:D https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95604?hl=en-GB https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/british-english-dictionary/ http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=424515 (safari) or you could be like me and both spellings confuse you, because both are right in your head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliceBB Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) Threads like this tend to make me want to rip up a sapling, Basil Fawlty-style, and beat the computer with it. The people who shout the loudest about 'incorrect' language and how split infinitives, homophone errors and dangling participles are ensuring the end of civilisation as we know it are invariably the ones who know very little about linguistics/ language use in context, which is what really matters. For example, nobody on this thread has so far made any real distinction between spoken and written English. They are not the same thing, because the contexts in which they are used are invariably different. Yet people bang on about 'errors' and 'poor English' in people's speech, without thinking about the ludicrousness of criticising non-standard grammar or lexis without considering the context. For example, what does it matter whether two friends use Yorkshire dialect, or 'could of' in a private conversation? Even in writing, where standard English is usually more appropriate (although again, context must determine this - why on earth should friends text message each other in standard English?), clarity and communication are key. Those things depend on context and audience - so you can have a piece of writing with standard spelling and grammar (punctuated to match), which makes very little sense to some of its intended audience. Many insurance policies are good examples of this. I am not sure what good it does to list/whinge about one's pet linguistic hates unless you find it somehow cathartic. If that's the case, please get out more. Edited August 4, 2014 by aliceBB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dardandec Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 nobody on this thread has so far made any real distinction between spoken and written English. No they haven't, because funnily enough this thread is about spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SqueakyPete Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95604?hl=en-GB https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/british-english-dictionary/ http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=424515 (safari) or you could be like me and both spellings confuse you, because both are right in your head. I have Mozilla,but cant find the option for the British dictionary. It still wants me to write "color" lol. ---------- Post added 01-08-2014 at 23:13 ---------- If it makes you happy. Did you purposely miss out the capitals in your username? You make me embarrassed to be a Sheffielder! Shame on you John Carr! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plain Talker Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 I have Mozilla,but cant find the option for the British dictionary. It still wants me to write "color" lol. ---------- Post added 01-08-2014 at 23:13 ---------- Did you purposely miss out the capitals in your username? You make me embarrassed to be a Sheffielder! Shame on you John Carr! It works for ee cummings, and kt tunstall... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johncocker Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 No. They should get out more. I don't think you ever get out at all when it comes to a sense of humour Can't believe anyone was gullible enough to fall for that. or thick enough, leMaquis for ff's ... more like le baguette :hihi: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEDROCK Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 I before E except after C is just nonsense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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