A YetiGuide® : How To Post In Proper English

Thad E Ginathom · 26th July 2007, 11:14

I'm prepared to loosen up on swelled, then

.

Thad E Ginathom · 26th July 2007, 11:25

Next time I'm near Higginbothams, I think I'll see if they have Fowler's Modern English Usage --- anyone else got this book?

Also I remember, when I worked for a publishing company, we used a very small book as an authority on punctuation, hyphenation and some usage questions --- but I can't remember the author or title (probably included the word 'rules'). Anyone?

ajitkommini · 26th July 2007, 15:30

I've always wondered why the past tense of Hang is "Hanged" when referring to an execution but "Hung" in other cases?

Sam Kapasi · 26th July 2007, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajitkommini

I've always wondered why the past tense of Hang is "Hanged" when referring to an execution but "Hung" in other cases?

I suppose it's just as well.

In modern English slang if you say a man is hung, it means he has a unusually large penis.

I'd rather be that than dead at the end of a rope.

Thad E Ginathom · 26th July 2007, 16:35

The Hindu (rightly) announces today: Too Much of Salt is Bad for The Health.

I don't think there is anything to criticise in terms of modern Indian English usage: it is established and accepted.

Lets look at this, and a similar example, in British English:

Too Much Salt is Bad for The Health --- the of is not required.

and

The roads are too much busy today --- Us brits would just say, "The roads are too busy today"

Any confusion between the two words to and too?.

We are going to the zoo.

Give that to me.

You can come too.

Rtech · 26th July 2007, 16:39

In the above example, I'd take greater objection to the use of "the" instead of "of". i.e. I'd rather it read Too Much Salt is Bad for Health.

The Heath doesn't sound right, to me.

ajitkommini · 26th July 2007, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Too Much Salt is Bad for The Health --- the of is not required.

I'd say the "The" is not required either.

"Too Much Salt is Bad for Health."

I guess it would be ok to say "Too Much Salt is Bad for The Heart" though. I dont know - just sounds right to me.

Sam Kapasi · 26th July 2007, 16:47

I think I can explain why you think THE health is wrong. (I agree with you)

Health is not a finite noun. It's a state of being, a condition like happiness or sorrow.

Love leads to sorrow. Not THE sorrow.
Street food leads to ill health, not THE ill health.
I'm in the pink of health. Not pink of the health.

Too much salt is bad for health sounds right to me.

The heart is very much a finite noun. It would be necessary to say THE heart.

Rtech · 26th July 2007, 16:59

I stumbled across this great source of information on just such a subject:
Dr.Grammar

rjstyles69 · 26th July 2007, 17:42

Something that I have noticed often at office,while going through emails.

"Kindly revert back at the earliest"

Isnt that supposed to be "Kindly revert at the earliest" ?

manaa45 · 26th July 2007, 18:08

i have seen many people use "breaking" to mean "slowing of a car". but if it is "to brake" then it should be "braking" not breaking.

sam correct me if i am wrong.

Mansi

Sam Kapasi · 26th July 2007, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaa45

i have seen many people use "breaking" to mean "slowing of a car". but if it is "to brake" then it should be "braking" not breaking.

sam correct me if i am wrong.

Mansi

You are absolutely correct Mansi.

To break is to make something into pieces.

To brake is to slow or stop your vehicle.

normally_crazy · 26th July 2007, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

In modern English slang if you say a man is hung, it means he has a unusually large penis.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

I'd rather be that than dead at the end of a rope.

Me too in the same boat !!

vivekiny2k · 26th July 2007, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtech

In the above example, I'd take greater objection to the use of "the" instead of "of". i.e. I'd rather it read Too Much Salt is Bad for Health.

The Heath doesn't sound right, to me.

how about "Too Much Salt is Bad for Health (that we discussed in the previous para)"?

fiery enzyme · 26th July 2007, 20:43

Wow Sam!! This is a very good thread.

Very informative. The way every one is taking part and contributing shows how unique TBHP is.

I will try to contribute my 2 cents to this thread too.

Enlighten me - When We add our signature at the end of any post(or any e-mail for that matter) should there be a period next to it or not?

For EX- Should my signature read Bala or Bala. ?

Bala

26th July 2007, 11:14	#196
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,005 Thanked: 26,443 Times	I'm prepared to loosen up on swelled, then .
	() Thanks

26th July 2007, 11:25	#197
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,005 Thanked: 26,443 Times	Next time I'm near Higginbothams, I think I'll see if they have Fowler's Modern English Usage --- anyone else got this book? Also I remember, when I worked for a publishing company, we used a very small book as an authority on punctuation, hyphenation and some usage questions --- but I can't remember the author or title (probably included the word 'rules'). Anyone?
	() Thanks

26th July 2007, 15:30	#198
ajitkommini BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 490 Thanked: 124 Times	I've always wondered why the past tense of Hang is "Hanged" when referring to an execution but "Hung" in other cases?
	() Thanks

26th July 2007, 16:35	#200
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,005 Thanked: 26,443 Times	The Hindu (rightly) announces today: Too Much of Salt is Bad for The Health. I don't think there is anything to criticise in terms of modern Indian English usage: it is established and accepted. Lets look at this, and a similar example, in British English: Too Much Salt is Bad for The Health --- the of is not required. and The roads are too much busy today --- Us brits would just say, "The roads are too busy today" Any confusion between the two words to and too?. We are going to the zoo. Give that to me. You can come too.
	() Thanks

26th July 2007, 16:39	#201
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	In the above example, I'd take greater objection to the use of "the" instead of "of". i.e. I'd rather it read Too Much Salt is Bad for Health. The Heath doesn't sound right, to me.
	() Thanks

26th July 2007, 16:47	#203
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	I think I can explain why you think THE health is wrong. (I agree with you) Health is not a finite noun. It's a state of being, a condition like happiness or sorrow. Love leads to sorrow. Not THE sorrow. Street food leads to ill health, not THE ill health. I'm in the pink of health. Not pink of the health. Too much salt is bad for health sounds right to me. The heart is very much a finite noun. It would be necessary to say THE heart.
	() Thanks

26th July 2007, 16:59	#204
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	I stumbled across this great source of information on just such a subject: Dr.Grammar
	() Thanks

26th July 2007, 17:42	#205
rjstyles69 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bengalooru.. Posts: 4,343 Thanked: 842 Times View My Garage	Something that I have noticed often at office,while going through emails. "Kindly revert back at the earliest" Isnt that supposed to be "Kindly revert at the earliest" ?
	() Thanks

26th July 2007, 18:08	#206
manaa45 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: nerul, navi mum Posts: 357 Thanked: 49 Times	i have seen many people use "breaking" to mean "slowing of a car". but if it is "to brake" then it should be "braking" not breaking. sam correct me if i am wrong. Mansi
	() Thanks

26th July 2007, 20:43	#210
fiery enzyme BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: TN 01 Posts: 413 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Wow Sam!! This is a very good thread. Very informative. The way every one is taking part and contributing shows how unique TBHP is. I will try to contribute my 2 cents to this thread too. Enlighten me - When We add our signature at the end of any post(or any e-mail for that matter) should there be a period next to it or not? For EX- Should my signature read Bala or Bala. ? Bala
	() Thanks