[HPFGU-OTChatter] Correct Grammar (was Open Email to Yahoo Feedback/Try Yahoo Investor Relations

[Dina Lerret]

On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:21:17 +0100 (GMT Daylight Time), Kathryn
<kcawte at ntlworld.com> wrote:

> to the conclusion' that this isn't how english works is a bit worrying. This
> isn't really a point most grammarians seem to think there's any controvosy
> about, certainly not in my experience anyway. I could *say* that I have come
> to the conclusion it is daylight outside - but I'd still be wrong.

For the sci-fi folk, 'the truth is fluid; it can be what you think it
to be or what you decide it to be'.

English is fluid, even if some piss it out.  Folks will always try
bending the scope of grammar.  Personally, I like 'me and X' format
because of its casual nature, which takes me to this...

> And as for JKR's usage I believe (but feel free to prove me wrong) that she
> uses it in speech and it's generally accepted that making all your
> characters speak perfectly grammatical English isn't very realistic

You're right in that she used the phrase in dialogue but don't you
think it a bit of a double standard?  For example, what I'm typing up
now is a discussion and how I would 'talk'--it's my dialogue minus the
quotations.

Granted, I'm not comfortable with anyone using atrociously sloppy
grammar but are we at the point where I must type the following:
"Evidently, I need some quotations around my commentary," I said.


> And on a slightly related note does anyone know why my spell checker in word
> occasionally reverts back to American instead of English (which is what I
> have it set as)? I get really irritated with it when it suddenly decides to
> tell me to replace my s with z (in -ise) and get rid of the u (colour etc).

Your spellchecker isn't democratic enough.  Thus, the US has invaded
it and spread its presence in a domineering way. ;-)

Dina