Quote from: Mr Larrington on 24 March, 2021, 06:18:28 pmThat, along with “medal”, has been around at least since the Beijing Olympics. This is not an excuse, BTW. Nor is the fact that Victoria Pendleton once said it.It serves a purpose:I came 4th in the egg and spoon race but would have won if it hadn't been for those medalling kids.
That, along with “medal”, has been around at least since the Beijing Olympics. This is not an excuse, BTW. Nor is the fact that Victoria Pendleton once said it.
"To provision" has been around for ages, meaning "to supply with provisions". You provision a ship before it sets sail, for example.
The verb "must" seems to be changing its meaning. When I were young, it meant something that you didn't really have any option over doing. Now, it seems to mean something that I'd really like you to do, but know perfectly well you won't, as in every second news report lately of impassioned pleas from campaigners earnestly saying things such as:QuoteThe government must double the pensions of everyone with a Q in their surname.
The government must double the pensions of everyone with a Q in their surname.
Surely, for complete reprehensibility, that should have read : -I came 4th in the egg and spoon race but would have podiumed if it hadn't been for those medalling kids.
Or even every football pundit now where the stock phrase is "he must score there" as opposed to "he really should have scored there".
TFL's exhortation at the top and bottom of every escalator that "Dogs must be carried" is worth a mention too.
Quote from: hatler on 25 March, 2021, 10:02:31 amOr even every football pundit now where the stock phrase is "he must score there" as opposed to "he really should have scored there".TFL's exhortation at the top and bottom of every escalator that "Dogs must be carried" is worth a mention too.
Who the hell hyphenates a phrase like this? "Budgets were offset by a month generally-speaking." I wish this were an April fool but no, just a writing fool.
Quote from: Tim Hall on 25 March, 2021, 03:09:08 pmQuote from: hatler on 25 March, 2021, 10:02:31 amOr even every football pundit now where the stock phrase is "he must score there" as opposed to "he really should have scored there".TFL's exhortation at the top and bottom of every escalator that "Dogs must be carried" is worth a mention too.Must is for giving orders and advice, or expressing obligation. "Dogs must be carried" is an example of giving an order. I've got nothing on the "must score there" if it's being used to refer to something that has already happened. It can only be used for present and future circumstances. Unless the commentator is watching the game on replay, is treating it as if it is happening in real time (not strictly grammatically correct, but it's a valid stylistic choice for dramatic purposes), and is exhorting the player to make a successful shot at the goal (in the sense of, "the opportunity is wide open, he must score there if we are to consider his skillset equal to his having a place on this team"), it's just weird.It can also be used to speculate about the truth of something, but I don't think that's what's happening in the football example.Sam
It can also be used to speculate about the truth of something
eg: "You must be fun at parties"
I don't go to parties because I have crippling social anxiety, as well as a weird form of synaesthesia that makes the noise feel like being in a jaccuzzi filled with rocks.
That said, if someone held a party for grammar pedants to sit around with drinks and snacks to gripe about their pet hates in a mutually supportive environment before squeezing back into their respective "language is dynamic and evolving, and prescriptivism is classist and ableist" outfits, I'd be there.
Yet another one of those self driving crashing cars https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-56602502
Quote from: tiermat on 01 April, 2021, 03:37:31 pmYet another one of those self driving crashing cars https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-56602502House in collision with a car.
Not so much grammar, but radio interviewees; when introduced, they say; "Thanks for having me".