A YetiGuide® : How To Post In Proper English

Thad E Ginathom · 16th July 2013, 23:40

Take care with using than.

You cannot say, "This is effective than other methods." You must say, "This is more effective than other methods." Actually, without the "more," it might have been "less!"

It is like saying, "today is bright than yesterday," instead of "today is brighter than yesterday"

vnabhi · 17th July 2013, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

One of the worst things about English pronunciation is spelling it right! Yes, you guys did: I often don't!

Bingo! I've seen many that commit this error.

ThePunter · 18th July 2013, 00:23

Such a useful thread !
Another one I can't stand is... "I can able to" or "I can't able to".
How many ever times I try to correct that it should be "I am able to", it just continues. Gosh..!

mayankk · 18th July 2013, 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePunter

Such a useful thread !
Another one I can't stand is... "I can able to" or "I can't able to".
How many ever times I try to correct that it should be "I am able to", it just continues. Gosh..!

I have not come across this so far. Give us some context, as to who used this, and where, please.

ThePunter · 18th July 2013, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayankk

I have not come across this so far. Give us some context, as to who used this, and where, please.

For eg.
"I can't able to understand this program"
"I can able to load the login screen"

Really..! I am surprised to read you haven't came across this. In my workplace I have heard this usage numerous times, a senior manager included, whom I haven't dare to correct

Farukh · 18th July 2013, 02:03

^^Tell me about it.

I thought it was restricted to south Indian folks only till I heard it from a guy who just moved from Gurgaon to Hyderabad.

Samurai · 18th July 2013, 07:32

Why do people say "Myself XXXX" instead of "My name is XXXX"? I find it quite irritating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePunter

For eg.
"I can't able to understand this program"
"I can able to load the login screen"

Really..! I am surprised to read you haven't came across this.

Never heard of this one so far, despite living in South India all the time.

anupmathur · 18th July 2013, 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePunter

.....
How many ever times I try to correct that it should be "I am able to", it just continues. Gosh..!

That should read: However many times I try to say that it should be "I am able to", it just continues. Gosh..!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePunter

...... a senior manager included, whom I haven't dare to correct

And this should be: ...... a senior manager included, whom I haven't dared to correct.

ThePunter · 18th July 2013, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

That should read: However many times I try to say that it should be "I am able to", it just continues. Gosh..!

not in agreement ! ? It starts and end differently, it seems. May be its just me

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

And this should be: ...... a senior manager included, whom I haven't dared to correct.

Agree,.. Thanks!

Samurai · 18th July 2013, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePunter

not in agreement ! ? It starts and end differently, it seems. May be its just me

"However many times" is correct, but it might be a bit rare usage. You can say "no matter how many times", for easier understanding. You can also say "no matter how I try" to sound less strained.

But I never heard of "how many ever times", not sure it is correct.

DerAlte · 18th July 2013, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePunter

... "I can't able to". ...

I couldn't figure out which is worse, this or "I can't be able to". When faced with a botched job or task, this comes as a double whammy.

The only possible response I can think of is "O great panjandrum, please deprive us of your august presence" - which I doubt they will understand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

Never heard of this one so far, despite living in South India all the time.

Think hinterland rural / mofussil areas in south India - TN and AP. Not in KA and KL - both of which have funny pronunciations and language oddities, but seldom bad grammar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

Why do people say "Myself XXXX" instead of "My name is XXXX"? ...

This is a pan-Indian affliction. Roots lie in poor / funny teacher training in the 50's. The first time I talked like that I got a belting from my father - "What nonsense have you learnt?". "Myself ..." is supposed to be extremely formal in the Indian context, perhaps a literal translation from vernacular "Hum Raja Tribhangmurari Singh hoon". This is similar to asking "What is yuar good name, please?" (as if there can be bad names). Or worse, "Myself <so&so>. Pleased to meet you. And yourself?". One feels like responding with "No, my father gave me my name".

mallumowgli · 18th July 2013, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I knowed that

This is not necessary:

[i]This is the most wonderful hotel in India. Disclaimer: I don't own it.

Would 'Disclosure' be a better word in that context? The reason is that one should not come across as promoting something with any commercial gains in mind

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

Never heard of this one so far, despite living in South India all the time.

You don't live in South India

(Madras!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Think hinterland rural / mofussil areas in south India - TN and AP. Not in KA and KL - both of which have funny pronunciations and language oddities, but seldom bad grammar.

I've heard this in Chennai the most. We even had a professor who used it so regularly, that we turned it into a phrase like..

Hey have you finished the project? - cant able to
Coming for a tea? - cant able to

vnabhi · 18th July 2013, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePunter

For eg.
"I can't able to understand this program"
"I can able to load the login screen"

Really..! I am surprised to read you haven't came across this. In my workplace I have heard this usage numerous times, a senior manager included, whom I haven't dare to correct

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

Never heard of this one so far, despite living in South India all the time.

It's very often used in Vizag region.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

"However many times" is correct, but it might be a bit rare usage. You can say "no matter how many times", for easier understanding. You can also say "no matter how I try" to sound less strained.

But I never heard of "how many ever times", not sure it is correct.

Yes, 'how many ever times' does not seem correct, though I've heard people using it a few times.

anupmathur · 18th July 2013, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

..... The reason is that one should not come across as promoting something with any commercial gains in mind
....

And that is exactly what 'disclaimer' does in this instance.
It is the correct and widely accepted word to covey that there is no vested interest or similar motive.

'Disclosure' would be incorrect to convey this sense, or the legal implications.

mallumowgli · 18th July 2013, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

'Disclosure' would be incorrect to convey this sense, or the legal implications.

Well, 'Disclosure' was the word used by a senior advocate

Check the link in the thread about the NEET exam

There are two instances -as indicated by Thad

One is I praise something and then own up that I've commercial interest
The other - I praise something and then say that I don't have commercial interest

Disclaimer is used in the first instance. As per Thad, the second instance doesn't need a disclaimer

16th July 2013, 23:40	#1906
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,438 Thanked: 29,982 Times	Re: A YetiGuide® : How To Post In Proper English Take care with using *than.* You cannot say, "This is effective than other methods." You must say, "This is more effective than other methods." Actually, without the "more," it might have been "less!" It is like saying, "today is bright than yesterday," instead of "today is brighter than yesterday"
	() Thanks

18th July 2013, 00:23	#1908
ThePunter BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TN-22 / KL-53 Posts: 113 Thanked: 23 Times View My Garage	Such a useful thread ! Another one I can't stand is... "I can able to" or "I can't able to". How many ever times I try to correct that it should be "I am able to", it just continues. Gosh..!
	() Thanks

18th July 2013, 02:03	#1911
Farukh BHPian Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Bangalore Posts: 83 Thanked: 46 Times	Re: A YetiGuide® : How To Post In Proper English ^^Tell me about it. I thought it was restricted to south Indian folks only till I heard it from a guy who just moved from Gurgaon to Hyderabad.
	() Thanks