Pedants' Paradise

[gurnemanz]

I had no idea it was 'acceptable' anywhere, even if with the rider that it was 'to be avoided'. But a clear example of the OED recording 'actual usage' as well as 'standard usage'.

It does look as if "mitigate against" might be getting established - a Google search in inverted commas produces 448,000 actual occurrences of the phrase. Actual usage often turns into standard usage and this process has to take place if language is to evolve. I tend to be fairly liberal in this respect but, for me, it is just wrong. In a student's essay, I would certainly correct it.

[french frank]

It does look as if "mitigate against" might be getting established - a Google search in inverted commas produces 448,000 actual occurrences of the phrase. Actual usage often turns into standard usage and this process has to take place if language is to evolve. I tend to be fairly liberal in this respect but, for me, it is just wrong. In a student's essay, I would certainly correct it.

Pretty much my view, gurnemanz. We have 'militate against' and it would just seem plumb ornery to start using that for 'mitigate against'. Even if one takes the 'liberal' view, it's worth a lesson in what they're saying and why they're saying it.

[Nick Armstrong]

How big a pedant are you...?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/11423217/how-big-a-grammar-pedant-are-you.html

[mercia]

I got number 1 wrong - which I think I need explained to me (I put the comma after the quotes)

[vinteuil]

How big a pedant are you...?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education...t-are-you.html

... in which we learn that the Torygraph doesn't understand the Oxford Comma.

[Nick Armstrong]

I got number 1 wrong - which I think I need explained to me (I put the comma after the quotes)

So did I mercs, and so do I...

[Nick Armstrong]

... in which we learn that the Torygraph doesn't understand the Oxford Comma.

Then again....

[Anna]

... in which we learn that the Torygraph doesn't understand the Oxford Comma.

Yes! And it was my downfall, as usual, to use the Oxford comma when describing the German flag!!

Edit: I just knew Cali would post Vampire Weekend, he does love that song!!

[Nick Armstrong]

Yes! And it was my downfall, as usual, to use the Oxford comma when describing the German flag!!

Edit: I just knew Cali would post Vampire Weekend, he does love that song!!

Predictable, moi ?

[mangerton]

So did I mercs, and so do I...

Yes, me as well. (Possibly "I as well".) Please include me in to any explanation.

[Anna]

Yes, me as well. (Possibly "I as well".) Please include me in to any explanation.

Because a comma is a natural pause, and the pause is contained within the quotation marks, not after, as that results in an unnatural speech pattern. Doesn't it?

Cali's posted that clip before, I was going to try and beat him to it but he obviously has it lurking on his sidebar for speedy posting as and when the occasion demands!!

[mangerton]

Yes! And it was my downfall, as usual, to use the Oxford comma when describing the German flag!!

I would say you are quite correct, even although I do live a long way from Oxford.

edit: Thank you, Anna, that is very clear.

[Lento]

What's with this VladEEmir we hear from some in the BBC?

[Pabmusic]

How big a pedant are you...?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education...t-are-you.html

I took this, but don't agree that it highlights grammatical errors. Many of the questions test stylistic matters, others puctuation. To use an Oxford comma is a matter of style, not grammar (I use it, many don't). To put the comma outside the quotes is a matter of style (I do, others don't - it used to be more common to do it that way; it's now reversed). Whether to use a semicolon or a dash is a matter of style, not grammar.

However, questions 6, 8,* and 10 are indeed about grammar.

*[Oxford comma.]

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Cali, vinty and I all get very cross when the Oxford comma is omitted.