Quote: sean knight @ March 24 2011, 9:39 AM GMTWhy not check out the charming script for Doyle and Pratt that I posted in the critique section
Read, which means it held my attention. Wonder whether this "DOYLE and PRATT are sat at a circular table in the middle of the room" is the sort of thing that's upsetting Mr Blenkinsop?
Fair point and I humbly take it on the chin. I didn't have time to get it proof read by anyone as it was rush job following a crash on another computer the day before the deadline.
For me, it's any time I read an unnecessary camera direction, particularly when it's technically incorrect...
WE PAN DOWN TO SEE A DEAD BODY.
Quote: Griff @ March 24 2011, 8:43 AM GMTActually the OED have relented on unique.
From http://oxforddictionaries.com/view/entry/m_en_gb0906050#m_en_gb0906050
Usage
There is a set of adjectives - including unique, complete, equal, infinite, and perfect - whose core meaning embraces a mathematically absolute concept and which therefore, according to a traditional argument, cannot be modified by adverbs such as really, quite, or very. For example, since the core meaning of unique (from Latin 'one ') is' being only one of its kind', it is logically impossible, the argument goes , to submodify it: it either is' unique' or it is not , and there are no in-between stages.In practice the situation in the language is more complex than this. Words like unique have a core sense but they often also have a secondary, less precise sense: in this case , the meaning 'very remarkable or unusual', as in a really unique opportunity. In its secondary sense, unique does not relate to an absolute concept, and so the use of submodifying adverbs is grammatically acceptable.
Yeah I was going to say that.
Quote: KLRiley @ March 24 2011, 9:26 AM GMTand that awful one, to which I even was subjected by a lecturer, the transposition of 'specific' and 'Pacific'.
Red rag to a bull. It's extraordinary where you hear that one. I have heard it uttered so many times in the past and by people who should know better.
On a slightly different tack:
Having worked in sales in the past, and having participated in and indeed endured many 'team meetings' where the language spoken seemed to be fluent 'shite' with a smattering of 'bollocks' thrown in, on so so so many occasions I have wanted to kill people, usually Sales Directors, who would insist on using the word leverage (invariably pronounced lev-ridge) as a verb.
And finally for now, at the conclusion of these meetings the question "What are the key learnings here?" makes me want to do some very bad things to the arseholes who have had the rind to ask it.
One that will be remorseless next year - 'medalling'. IT'S NOT A VERB.
Quote: KLRiley @ March 24 2011, 10:13 AM GMTOne that will be remorseless next year - 'medalling'. IT'S NOT A VERB.
Not to mention in the context of F1 'pitting'
Gaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!
This is mainly a sports commentary thing but "a big ask", what is an "ask"? Do you mean "a big thing to ask" by any chance?
Ask is a verb not a noun, same as when someone describes something as "a good listen"...grrrr...
Also, there is only one Manchester United, one David Beckham, etc, so talk of "the Manchester United's of this world" is nonsensical.
Oh and lastly, for now, when you are talking about a celebrity e.g. David Beckham, don't bother saying "the likes of David Beckham and John Terry", when you just mean "David Beckham and John Terry".
Quote: Tony Cowards @ March 24 2011, 10:17 AM GMTThis is mainly a sports commentary thing but "a big ask", what is an "ask"? Do you mean "a big thing to ask" by any chance?
Ask is a verb not a noun, same as when someone describes something as "a good listen"...grrrr...
Also, there is only one Manchester United, one David Beckham, etc, so talk of "the Manchester United's of this world" is nonsensical.
Oh and lastly, for now, when you are talking about a celebrity e.g. David Beckham, don't bother saying "the likes of David Beckham and John Terry", when you just mean "David Beckham and John Terry".
So if Alan Shearer came to your house for tea......
Quote: Tony Cowards @ March 24 2011, 10:17 AM GMTThis is mainly a sports commentary thing but "a big ask", what is an "ask"? Do you mean "a big thing to ask" by any chance?
Ask is a verb not a noun, same as when someone describes something as "a good listen"...grrrr...
Also, there is only one Manchester United, one David Beckham, etc, so talk of "the Manchester United's of this world" is nonsensical.
Oh and lastly, for now, when you are talking about a celebrity e.g. David Beckham, don't bother saying "the likes of David Beckham and John Terry", when you just mean "David Beckham and John Terry".
Now you're talking! This is getting to be lots of fun. Perhaps I should ask a Mod to rename this thread 'Pedantry corner'
Then there's the ubiquitous description of something (say a goal, a song, a play etc.) being 'quality'. But frequently we aren't told whether it's good, bad or mediocre quality.
Just treat it like a 'spot the ball' competition
Quote: Griff @ March 24 2011, 10:37 AM GMTIf we're now banning all forms of colloquialisms and slang in spoken English then I'm out.
In what context?
Quote: Griff @ March 24 2011, 10:37 AM GMTIf we're now banning all forms of colloquialisms and slang in spoken English then I'm out.
I'm sorry your in to deep pal. You should of red the rules before contributing.
Quote: Griff @ March 24 2011, 10:43 AM GMTIn a Dragon's Den way.
Quote: Blenkinsop @ March 24 2011, 10:09 AM GMTRed rag to a bull.
You might enjoy the book Death Sentence by an Australian pedant named Don Watson, bemoaning the mania among the media, business managers and politicians for mangling the English language. Plenty of copies in the second-hand shops here if you'd like a copy.