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"let alone"
- Thread starter Zaptruder
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The example is correct, although the way I stated the rule is probably flawed (like the way asians respond yes to confirm a negative question, while westerners confirm the negative question with a no response.
It's like
"(If) You can't hit the broadside of a barn, (don't even bother with) a moving tractor."
Everytime I've seen the phrase used, I've seen it used incorrectly. It really pisses me off because it stalls me for a minute... then I realise that people are morons.
It's like
"(If) You can't hit the broadside of a barn, (don't even bother with) a moving tractor."
Everytime I've seen the phrase used, I've seen it used incorrectly. It really pisses me off because it stalls me for a minute... then I realise that people are morons.
Mermandala
Member
a lot
I am not arguing that the sentence is wrong (it isn't), or that the barn should be second because its bigger 
lol thats funny though) only that the rule needs to be rephrased since not being able to hit the barn is certainly the bigger offence, since the barn is a large unmoving object.
Hitting a moving tractor is more difficult ergo a lesser offense.
The sentence is correct, the wording of the rule is wrong.
lol thats funny though) only that the rule needs to be rephrased since not being able to hit the barn is certainly the bigger offence, since the barn is a large unmoving object. Hitting a moving tractor is more difficult ergo a lesser offense.
The sentence is correct, the wording of the rule is wrong.
Zaptruder said:
On a serious note... leave my children out of the insults be they in jest or not.
On a more light hearted note I think alot faster than I type. You'll find that my posts will occasionally be missing a word or two and it's because I've already in my mind moved on to the next point I'm trying to make. I'm hardly a moron and simply put don't always take the time to proofread my posts... I just don't find it that important for what I post here. I spend alot of time creating training manuals at work.... writing here is my "kick back" time.
Cauliflower of Love
Banned
:lol
ahem.
scola said:I am not arguing that the sentence is wrong (it isn't), or that the barn should be second because its bigger
Hitting a moving tractor is more difficult ergo a lesser offence.
The sentence is correct, the wording of the rule is wrong.
Hmm... severe isn't the right word then. It's difficult, or more extreme example. That's the word! extreme!
Mermandala
Member
haha awesome uses of alot!
Since you are all literary masters.... translate THIS!
http://www.geekroar.com/film/archives/000250.php
http://www.geekroar.com/film/archives/000250.php
Error Macro
Member
"There's three things you should know."
There are three things you should know.
However...
"There are a lot of things you should know."
There is a lot of things you should know."
(a lot being singular)
There are three things you should know.
However...
"There are a lot of things you should know."
There is a lot of things you should know."
(a lot being singular)
SteveMeister
Hang out with Steve.
"could've" is a contraction of "could" and "have", not "could" and "of".
Mama Smurf
My penis is still intact.
It's not as bad as people saying "could care less" instead of "couldn't care less". It'd be fine if they actually meant that they could care less, but they hardly ever do. Drives me mad (inside, where I let it fester).
Error Macro
Member
Mama Smurf said:
Ooh yeah, that's my number one hot button concerning language.
Heh that always bugs me too. I don't notice it here on gaf, but I hear it all the time and it drives me nuts. When ppl get it wrong it's extra annoying because it's one of those times when ppl use a couple of words as an expression without thinking about what they mean seperately, or else they'd instantly realize it's backwards.
Basically, it's "I wasn't able to [something easy], let alone [something hard]" as an example. You're talking about the hard thing, and using the fact you weren't able to even do the easy thing as an example of how badly you failed.
And yeah, I'm with Mama Smurf on "could care less". Way more annoying.
Basically, it's "I wasn't able to [something easy], let alone [something hard]" as an example. You're talking about the hard thing, and using the fact you weren't able to even do the easy thing as an example of how badly you failed.
And yeah, I'm with Mama Smurf on "could care less". Way more annoying.
Particle Physicist
between a quark and a baryon
Zaptruder said:
hey.. thanks for explaining this to me.. im not being sarcastic here.. english being my second language, this was never truly made clear..
You're welcome.quadriplegicjon said:
Personally, I don't doubt most people can make sense of the phrase and use it properly if they actually sat down and thought about it even for a moment... so I make a thread to raise people's level of awareness. Everytime a person that's read this thread, that hasn't already thought about it explicitly before, goes to use that phrase, they'll have a chance of recalling an irate person acting all smarmy about the phrase... and then they'll use the phrase correctly... or not at all. Either way works well.
Spiritreaver
Member
You shuold really start a weekly column.
Mama Smurf
My penis is still intact.
Yeah, but it's normally said when someone wants to dismiss something. It'd just be really weird to say if they meant it that way.
It's possible that some people do mean that though, in which case screw them for messing with the phrase!
It's possible that some people do mean that though, in which case screw them for messing with the phrase!
relentlessflame
Member
Hey, I can identify with this thread. Growing up, my father used to correct my every grammar mistake, which annoyed me to no end; of course, now I can't help but notice the same in others! I have to severely restrain myself from correcting people outloud, since I know how much I sound like a smartass to others when doing so. So, hey, I can identify with this thread!
I've learned that the biggest barrier to improved grammar is that most people simply can't be bothered to improve; in other words, laziness. People who want to speak and write well make the effort to do so. (Then again, I don't have terribly high expectations on a message board!)
I've learned that the biggest barrier to improved grammar is that most people simply can't be bothered to improve; in other words, laziness. People who want to speak and write well make the effort to do so. (Then again, I don't have terribly high expectations on a message board!)
Mama Smurf
My penis is still intact.
I don't like these attempts to change the phrase to stop the stupid people looking so stupid.
evil solrac v3.0
Member
DarienA said:
see, i have the same problem. but people assume that since i make so many spelling mistakes i'm a dummy...... i dun speak gud, yes?
contractions and things that sound alike in general are very common mistakes from all but the most guarded people, due to our heavy reliance on our phonological loop as a primary method of digesting and expressing language, with our visual representation of it a secondary means.
Mistakes like You're and your, are all too easy to make; although said slowly there's a slight difference, said quickly, the difference trends towards zero.
Same deal goes with Could've and Could of (said quickly, the difference is relatively negligible... in fact, for most people Could've and Could of are interchangable, as the latter with no proper meaning in english, occupies the same lexical space as could've. Only when we conciously recognize or make point of it, do we filter it and use it correctly.)
Not saying that it's any less wrong, but those issues are definetly more understandable than plain illogic.
Mistakes like You're and your, are all too easy to make; although said slowly there's a slight difference, said quickly, the difference trends towards zero.
Same deal goes with Could've and Could of (said quickly, the difference is relatively negligible... in fact, for most people Could've and Could of are interchangable, as the latter with no proper meaning in english, occupies the same lexical space as could've. Only when we conciously recognize or make point of it, do we filter it and use it correctly.)
Not saying that it's any less wrong, but those issues are definetly more understandable than plain illogic.
Dragona Akehi
Retired
Weary != Wary
WEARY: tired, fatigued
WARY: cautious, suspicious of, untrusting
The amount of times I see this 'mix up' (how?!) online, in print or otherwise drives me absolutely round the twist.
WEARY: tired, fatigued
WARY: cautious, suspicious of, untrusting
The amount of times I see this 'mix up' (how?!) online, in print or otherwise drives me absolutely round the twist.
Spiritreaver
Member
Cyan said:
I'm definitely guilty of this, infact I'm sure I've done it wrong a few times in my last ten posts. I usually figure I said something silly, but I just go along with it as it's not important for my main message to get across. But now I'll probably notice it.
Fresh Prince
Banned
For me it's when people pronounce 0 as o(oh).
Like 290 turns into two - nine - oh.
Like 290 turns into two - nine - oh.
Spiritreaver
Member
Fresh Prince said:
I believe people do this simply because it is easier to say, and makes things smoother. All digits except seven, and of course zero, are a single syllable. Seven we just deal with as there's no way to change it without it sounding off. That and 0 and O look a lot alike and the connection is easier to comprehend.
Fresh Prince
Banned
True, just one of those little things that irks me.
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