Grammar that makes you cringe

[clarion]

You wouldn't want dissociated principles, would you?

[Bledlow]

Little grass snakes should be coming out precisely about now

Even Radio 4 can't be held entirely responsible for the grammar of contributors chosen for their technical knowledge.

[citoyen]

Little grass snakes should be coming out precisely about now

Easy. They're coming out in a precise fashion - ie without repetition, hesitation or deviation - and they're doing it about now.

d.

[clarion]

Little grass snakes should be coming out precisely about now

Easy. They're coming out in a precise fashion - ie without repetition, hesitation or deviation - and they're doing it about now.

d.

You are correct, of course, and I hang my head in shame for not understanding that

[clarion]

a Loo tenant in His Majesty's army

Not grammar, I know, but basic pronunciation error.

[Andrij]

a Loo tenant in His Majesty's army

Not grammar, I know, but basic pronunciation error.

Yeah.  Everyone knows it's loyt-nant.
 

[Nuncio]

Oh dear, I feel a mis-pronunciation thread (or at least a major diversion of this one) coming on.

[clarion]

a Loo tenant in His Majesty's army

Not grammar, I know, but basic pronunciation error.

Yeah.  Everyone knows it's loyt-nant.
 

*boils quietly with rage*

[Manotea]

When did it become compulsory to refer to our soldiers as troopers?

Is it some kind of pinko bleeding heart PC doublethink conspiracy?

[border-rider]

If they were members of a cavalry regiment then it would be the correct address, I think.

[pcolbeck]

When did it become compulsory to refer to our soldiers as troopers?

OK when referring to cavalry regiments but infantry ?

[clarion]

Infants?

[pcolbeck]

If they were members of a cavalry regiment then it would be the correct address, I think.

Army Air Corps and some artillery regiments as well (those that used to be horse artillery).

[Chris S]

I'm assuming the correct pronunciation is "Leff-tenant".

If so - where else in the English language (or anywhere for that matter) do the letters "Lieu" make a "Leff" sound

[border-rider]

It's cos it comes from the French, and there has been a certain amount of confusion over w and f sounds at various times long past in various places...

[clarion]

ISTR it came via Belgium, which adds another layer of pronunciation difficulty.

However it came about, we have a correct way to pronounce the word, and the Army are clear about their usage.

[pcolbeck]

I'm assuming the correct pronunciation is "Leff-tenant".

If so - where else in the English language (or anywhere for that matter) do the letters "Lieu" make a "Leff" sound

Since when has English pronunciation and spelling been regular ? You just have to accept that some words are not pronounced phonetically or even in the same way as other words with similar spelling or indeed similar meaning.

[Ian H]

When did it become compulsory to refer to our soldiers...

Our soldiers - I hate the phrase. They're British soldiers. You may think of them as your soldiers, but please don't involve me.

[border-rider]

Indeed

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/xN1WN0YMWZU&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/xN1WN0YMWZU&rel=1</a>

[Chris S]

One Show - BBC 1 - just now.

"Balsall Heath is a much pleasanter place to be."

*snigger* 

[clarion]

... we have a correct way to pronounce the word, and the Army are clear about their usage.

Come on, pay attention at the back.

You've lost me with your first highlight, though I accept that the Army should agree to a singular.

[HTFB]

Oh, protest. On it's own it means "bear witness for". Pro as in for, and test as in testament. You can protest your faith, as lots of martyrs have died doing.

If you don't like something you can protest against it.

[Wowbagger]

When did it become compulsory to refer to our soldiers...

Our soldiers - I hate the phrase. They're British soldiers. You may think of them as your soldiers, but please don't involve me.

Absolutely right! They are nothing whatever to do with me.

[Mr Larrington]

Not grammar but what seems to be a very nasty neologism.  The team from Missouri University of SCIENCE and Technology have a mini-bus, which proclaims on the side, in big friendly letters, that this particular department is "experiential"  

[Cudzoziemiec]

They develop technology through their experiences of the world? Or summat like dat. Unless it's just a typo...