Language & Grammar discussion
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Introductions and Welcomes
I never thought about "free gift" before, but I have thought about they saying, "small moment" which is a unit of writing commonly taught in NYC elementary schools. It's so redundant! To be a moment, it must be small!
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Quizzette: Does anyone know who wrote these? When I first saw the list, I thought that someone picked my brain and put in words my rules for good writing. Except that (and this is a hint) the essay which includes these rules is dated 1947:
Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
Never use a long word where a short one will do.
If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
Never use the passive where you can use the active.
Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
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Yes, it was 4981's author. The essay is Politics and the English Language. His assertion that by reducing the language the state can restrict ideas is still fascinating, maybe more so nowadays.
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Reducing the language ... isn't that what advertising comes to?
Hola! My name is Raymond, I'm from San Antonio, TX. I really enjoy reading. Usually when school starts I slow down on the books and occupy myself with school and activities, but in the summer I really try to shove in as many books as I can. I'm just looking for a good place to see who's reading what and what I should read next!
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I'm talking first year in college. It starts August 23/4 I believe. Obviously my sureness on the date tells that I haven't really prepared to start school... haha, but yeah it starts late August, which means it's right around the corner. Thanks, for the welcome by the way! :D
Hello Raymond gather ye rosebuds while ye may. Freshman year in college is hellacious.
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Close to home or big-time moving? I went close to home to the state university (not that I ever went home much anyway -- except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Give-Me-a-Break).
Haha "hellacious" sounds enticing. It's kind of close to home, but a good 90 minute drive. So my parents won't be breathing behind my shoulder but I guess if I end up in some sticky situation I can always meet them halfway or something... haha. Heading to UT!
That is great,Brigham Young or University of Utah? Did we mention we were nosy?
Haha, no. University of Texas at Austin. Hook em'! haha.
I knew that . Why would a Texan go anywhere else? hahahahaha That is wonderful .
Hello, my name is Larissa. I probably don't belong here, but I thought "Hey maybe this group can help with my grammer in writing." so here I am. There are times I struggle to find the right word in a place.
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The Longhorns, Raymond? Those hats have become the rage even up here in New England (eye roll). I've watched a few Texas (Rick Barnes, et. al.) hoops games recently in NCAA basketball, the happening sport. Not that I was rooting for them (just being honest).
Adapting Orwell's rules for our times, I would add one -"Never use an emoticon. If you have to do so, even you doubt that your writing is up to par." Your opinion?
Hey Larissa, welcome and as grandpa says have a good time.
Thank you, all. This is possibly one of the warmest welcomes I've gotten from groups on here. I'm new to the site.
We are a friendly bunch of crudmudgeons.
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Orwell knew Aldous Huxley!... Huxley taught him French.
hey! im new in this group! i just want you guys to check this really cool website that i made! plz plz comment to tell me if you like it or not!! =)
http://luv2laugh66.webs.com/
http://luv2laugh66.webs.com/
You are a wee lassie Jennifer. Welcome to the farm(funny). I checked out your web page not bad for a lambkin. I think you are a babe in the woods, correct me if I am wrong.
Hi - I guess I introduce myself here. I joined this group because I like linguistics. :-)
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Hello and welcome capriwim. I liked your comments over in the "Ask the Experts" thread, by the way.
Thanks for the welcomes. And yep, I'm a Capricorn. :-)
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Welcome capriwim!....I'm a sage Sagittarius. :-)
I'm new to the group, and love both language and grammar. I study roughly a dozen languages (including English, of course), and love to know the details and proper applications of grammatical constructions. I've joined purely based on the group's name.
Welcome Logan we do go in different directions sometimes. So bear with us. Just don't growl we leave that to the aminals .
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Newengland wrote: "Hello, Logan. I see you speak Finnish. We befriended a family of Finns who alas moved back to Finland! All I remember of my Finnish lessons is oolut (which might be misspelled, but means "beer,"..."
Indeed, olut does mean 'beer'. I am more Finnish in blood than anything else, so I have great Finnish pride, and took up the language when I was younger. Relatives from the synnyinmaa, the motherland, however, still keep in touch on an irregular basis. By the by, I can see why you all are called so friendly: warm welcomes. Not enough of my groups are like that. Brilliant.
Indeed, olut does mean 'beer'. I am more Finnish in blood than anything else, so I have great Finnish pride, and took up the language when I was younger. Relatives from the synnyinmaa, the motherland, however, still keep in touch on an irregular basis. By the by, I can see why you all are called so friendly: warm welcomes. Not enough of my groups are like that. Brilliant.
I see you like Moby Dick, I may have to re-evaluate you. (Tag you are it)
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Language & Grammar
Books mentioned in this topic
Roughing It (other topics)The Fault in Our Stars (other topics)
The Way We Live Now (other topics)
Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric (other topics)
Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric (other topics)
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Here is the Language Peeve thread for your amusement. Make a big bowl of popcorn....
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...