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Post by Silwyna on Dec 2, 2007 16:40:59 GMT 1
On a lj-site I read a few posts about the english language and the many mistakes that are being made in english writing.
Now, I understood most of what was mentioned there, but some of the things I write all the time and I never realized they were wrong.
Here's what got me confused:
1. Is it wrong to say "I don't get it" instead of "I don't understand it"?
2. Is it wrong to say "I need a pencil" instead of "Please, may I have a pencil?"? I thought that, among close friends or siblings, it would be okay to say "I need ...".
3. Is it wrong to start a sentence with "however", "unfortunately", "nontheless" or "but" etc.?
Have you ever noticed more mistakes I keep making?
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yor
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Post by yor on Dec 2, 2007 19:12:47 GMT 1
I go back and forth on this in writing... For example, dangling prepositions. Yes, they are wrong (supposedly). The thing about grammar is that it is often "used wrong" to the point of becoming acceptable. I, a native speaker, have heard these rules, but do them anyway. Someone who would nitpick about them has too much time on their hands and needs to get a life that is in the real world. (Ok, I don't ususally start my sentences with conjuctions. That one is pretty common. ) Here's my take. If I'm writing a report for school, work, etc. I mind my grammar p's and q's. (I'd never dangle a preposition there.) However, when writing fiction, we write characters who are "real" and would use these expressions as naturally as we do. Does that make sense?
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Post by Silwyna on Dec 2, 2007 19:27:26 GMT 1
It makes a lot of sense. Thanks
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