Insofar....

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Joseph K
    Banned
    • Oct 2017
    • 7765

    #46
    Originally posted by kernelbogey View Post

    Yeah, whatevs.
    That's an expression of insouciance, not of emphasis.

    Comment

    • french frank
      Administrator/Moderator
      • Feb 2007
      • 30455

      #47
      He did nothing. He did nothing whatever. He did nothing whatsoever. Or should the superlative be whateverest?

      It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.

      Comment

      • Serial_Apologist
        Full Member
        • Dec 2010
        • 37812

        #48
        Originally posted by french frank View Post
        He did nothing. He did nothing whatever. He did nothing whatsoever. Or should the superlative be whateverest?
        That would be too much of a mountain to climb.

        Comment

        • Nick Armstrong
          Host
          • Nov 2010
          • 26572

          #49
          Originally posted by Joseph K View Post

          I'm not sure it's really pompous. I might add 'whatsoever' at the end of a sentence for emphasis - but to add 'whatever' in lieu just wouldn't be idiomatic.
          I cannot think of any example where that would be the case
          "...the isle is full of noises,
          Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
          Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
          Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."

          Comment

          • Joseph K
            Banned
            • Oct 2017
            • 7765

            #50
            Originally posted by Nick Armstrong View Post

            I cannot think of any example where that would be the case
            If you type 'whatsoever meaning' into Google you will discover that it is an adverb meaning 'at all' used for emphasis, just like I said it was. It also has an archaic meaning of 'whatever' - but my point was that the word 'whatever' isn't used in the sense given above of 'whatsoever' meaning 'at all' for emphasis.

            Is that clear enough for you?

            Comment

            • Pulcinella
              Host
              • Feb 2014
              • 11062

              #51
              Originally posted by Joseph K View Post

              If you type 'whatsoever meaning' into Google you will discover that it is an adverb meaning 'at all' used for emphasis, just like I said it was. It also has an archaic meaning of 'whatever' - but my point was that the word 'whatever' isn't used in the sense given above of 'whatsoever' meaning 'at all' for emphasis.

              Is that clear enough for you?
              I would certainly say
              That makes no sense whatsoever
              rather than
              That makes no sense whatever!

              Comment

              • RichardB
                Banned
                • Nov 2021
                • 2170

                #52
                Originally posted by Sir Velo View Post
                A part of English, er British identity, since at least the days of the Office of Circumlocution.
                One of the many problems with Britain is that it has no written circumlocution.

                I see nothing whatsoever wrong with whatsoever however. It's a shame if such enrichments of language are regarded as pompous, isn't it?

                Comment

                • oddoneout
                  Full Member
                  • Nov 2015
                  • 9271

                  #53
                  Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

                  I would certainly say
                  That makes no sense whatsoever
                  rather than
                  That makes no sense whatever!
                  That would be my position - emphasis,even more so(if exasperated for instance) when it is split up into its three syllables, each one stressed.
                  The " ...no sense whatever " version sounds a bit as if it's missing the end of the sentence - perhaps "...the circumstances."

                  Comment

                  • oddoneout
                    Full Member
                    • Nov 2015
                    • 9271

                    #54
                    Originally posted by RichardB View Post

                    One of the many problems with Britain is that it has no written circumlocution.
                    I see nothing whatsoever wrong with whatsoever however. It's a shame if such enrichments of language are regarded as pompous, isn't it?

                    Exacerbated by the unwritten manual of tergiversation used by those in positions of influence and power...​

                    Comment

                    • Joseph K
                      Banned
                      • Oct 2017
                      • 7765

                      #55
                      Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

                      I would certainly say
                      That makes no sense whatsoever
                      rather than
                      That makes no sense whatever!
                      Exactly.

                      Comment

                      • Joseph K
                        Banned
                        • Oct 2017
                        • 7765

                        #56
                        Originally posted by RichardB View Post
                        It's a shame if such enrichments of language are regarded as pompous, isn't it?
                        Agreed.

                        Comment

                        • french frank
                          Administrator/Moderator
                          • Feb 2007
                          • 30455

                          #57
                          Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

                          I would certainly say
                          That makes no sense whatsoever
                          rather than
                          That makes no sense whatever!
                          "Of that there is no manner of doubt, No probable possible shadow of doubt, No possible doubt whatever."

                          I might use either, the infix 'so' being an intensifier.
                          It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.

                          Comment

                          • kernelbogey
                            Full Member
                            • Nov 2010
                            • 5803

                            #58
                            Originally posted by Joseph K View Post
                            That's an expression of insouciance, not of emphasis.
                            Or snorquer production?

                            Comment

                            • Nick Armstrong
                              Host
                              • Nov 2010
                              • 26572

                              #59
                              Originally posted by Joseph K View Post

                              Exactly.
                              I disagree but anyway, moving on…
                              "...the isle is full of noises,
                              Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
                              Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
                              Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."

                              Comment

                              • Serial_Apologist
                                Full Member
                                • Dec 2010
                                • 37812

                                #60
                                Originally posted by RichardB View Post

                                One of the many problems with Britain is that it has no written circumlocution.
                                Brilliant!

                                I think you should copyright that sentence, Richard.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X