Semantics

[Guest]

A thread where discussion can take place regarding correct spelling, grammar, pronounciation and word usage; together with the history of language development.

Nothing at all to do with performance of music, where threads are becoming more and more cluttered up with this sort of discussion, but is very interesting in its own right.

With the gradual erosion of the English language and its changing vocabulary ("a big ask" is an excellent example, "for sure" rather than "certainly" is another) there is plenty of scope for views on this subject.

Ventilhorn

[salymap]

'For Free' is the expression up with which I cannot put. [As Churchill very nearly said]

[Serial_Apologist]

Indubitably, sir.

[amateur51]

A thread where discussion can take place regarding correct spelling, grammar, pronounciation and word usage; together with the history of language development.

Nothing at all to do with performance of music, where threads are becoming more and more cluttered up with this sort of discussion, but is very interesting in its own right.

With the gradual erosion of the English language and its changing vocabulary ("a big ask" is an excellent example, "for sure" rather than "certainly" is another) there is plenty of scope for views on this subject.

Ventilhorn

I enjoyed this book very much

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Language-Wars-History-Proper-English/dp/1848542097/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1317561308&sr=1-1

and it's pronunciation ( I'm certain that was a typo, VH - before salymap gives me a good ear-bashing )

[Simon]

OK - can someone suggest a sensible and easy way to remember the differing correct usages of continually and continuously, please?

Thanks in advance.

[amateur51]

OK - can someone suggest a sensible and easy way to remember the differing correct usages of continually and continuously, please?

Thanks in advance.

In pronunciation, the marked difference in the sssss sound.

Continuously means unceasingly, two sssss sounds.

Continually means time-after-time, regularly or frequently

I hope that helps

[Nick Armstrong]

In pronunciation, the marked difference in the sssss sound.

Continuously means unceasingly, two sssss sounds.

Continually means time-after-time, regularly or frequently

I hope that helps

Indeed Ammy And yes, Hitchings's book is well worth a purchase!

The idiotic grammatical thing which makes me fume these days is the repetition of the verb when people highlight something e.g.,

"The thing is, is that it was raining"

I heard even an even worse variant yesterday: "The problem was, is that we couldn't find the key"

It's as if "the thing is" or "the problem was" is regarded as a sort of composite noun, requiring a verb

[vinteuil]

A thread where discussion can take place regarding correct spelling, grammar, pronounciation [sic] and word usage; together with the history of language development.


Ventilhorn

... well, for a start, you might wish to change the title of this thread, perhaps to 'Language' - because 'semantics' is restricted to that particular domain of linguistics concerned with meaning (as opposed to other grammatical issues such as syntax, stylistics, register, sociolinguistics, pronunciation, spelling, etymology &c)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantics

[amateur51]

... well, for a start, you might wish to change the title of this thread, perhaps to 'Language' - because 'semantics' is restricted to that particular domain of linguistics concerned with meaning (as opposed to other grammatical issues such as syntax, stylistics, register, sociolinguistics, pronunciation, spelling, etymology &c)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantics

Oh bravo, vints!

I started trying to express these thoughts and gave up in the heat.

You, however, are made of sterner stuff and we are all in your debt

[amateur51]

Indeed Ammy And yes, Hitchings's book is well worth a purchase!

The idiotic grammatical thing which makes me fume these days is the repetition of the verb when people highlight something e.g.,

"The thing is, is that it was raining"

I heard even an even worse variant yesterday: "The problem was, is that we couldn't find the key"

It's as if "the thing is" or "the problem was" is regarded as a sort of composite noun, requiring a verb

Excellent points, Caliban!

But 'I am loving' your devilish new forehead slapper - Egad it moves!!

[teamsaint]

way to go , this thread.

[Tony Halstead]

"your devilish new forehead slapper - Egad it moves!!"
Agreed, thanks, Amateur51, it's MUCH more fun than the old ( now 'banned') 'doh'!

[Nick Armstrong]

Ammy and Wald:

Go here: http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php

Click on the [2] next to "Basic smileys"

The *Doh* is third up on the bottom right of the page.

Copy the "Forum code" in the box under the picture and simply paste into your message...

So easy....!

[Ventilhorn]

I enjoyed this book very much

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Language-Wars-History-Proper-English/dp/1848542097/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1317561308&sr=1-1

and it's pronunciation ( I'm certain that was a typo, VH - before salymap gives me a good ear-bashing )

It was a deliberate typo AM. I wanted to see how many people would pick me up on it.

Regarding "continually" and "continuously", I would define the first as being constant (and usually annoying) repetition and the second as being non-stop (like a nagging headache, or next door's pop music)

Looks like some worthwhile discussion coming up from some of the wordsmiths on these message boards.

VH

[amateur51]

Ahm luvvin' it Caliban!!