[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I have always pronounced sic as sick!

It may be a generation thing, but I don't recall having heard it pronounced seek.

Of course, as it tends to occur in written or printed work, one doesn't often hear it at all!

Yes. That is true. But I have always wondered what it meant !!

Another query... Is it ok to start a sentence with BUT ? Somehow I feel it's wrong. Even though I do start a sentence with BUT many times, I think it's wrong.

[Thad E Ginathom]

And I agree with you.



Is it called a conjunction? I think so, and one should not start a sentence with something whose purpose is to join two things.

But there is a certain colloquial style about internet-forum posting, and it doesn't seem out of place when we break that rule here. I would not do it in formal writing; there it would feel wrong.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

But there is a certain colloquial style about internet-forum posting, and it doesn't seem out of place when we break that rule here. I would not do it in formal writing; there it would feel wrong.

Has the 'but' been deliberately put in the above sentence as an example?

I really don't know what The Yeti's reaction to this will be!
I'm afraid he will be rather cross that 'his' thread is being treated as 'colloqial internet banter'! LOL.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by hydrashok

Coming to the specific thing that Condor was speaking about, a native speaker of Hindi would first think "Mujhe neend aa raha hain", translate the words to "For me sleep is coming", then format the translated words into the syntax and usage followed by English and say "I'm feeing sleepy".

Now, this is in the case of a person well educated and familiar with English. Someone who is not that familiar with using English may end up saying something else altogether in the end (most likely a literal translation of the native language into English). Most languages have their special ways: "Mein 1000/- ka DD nikalke aapko bhej doonga" becomes "I will remove a DD of 1000/- and send it to you" etc., etc.

Hmm, reminds me of a South Indian pal who was educated in Bihar. He said 'open the fan' (fan kholo), and I remember responding with 'aint got no screw-driver'.

[vnabhi]

Another example that struck my mind is 'Mr X started dancing when he heard he had become a grandpa' ('naachna shoroo kiye') instead of 'jumping with joy'.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

'Mr X started dancing when he heard he had become a grandpa' ('naachna shoroo kiye') instead of 'jumping with joy'.

The problem was probably that with a male child having been born, he became a grandpa and was not happy enough to jump for joy. So he only danced for joy.
He had been wishing for a girl child so that he could have become a grandma!

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Has the 'but' been deliberately put in the above sentence as an example?

I really don't know what The Yeti's reaction to this will be!
I'm afraid he will be rather cross that 'his' thread is being treated as 'colloqial internet banter'! LOL.

Oh but (ha!) this thread is not mine alone. I merely initiated it.

[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Oh but (ha!) this thread is not mine alone. I merely initiated it.

That sure is an innovative way to avoid using BUT to start a sentence !!

Anyway, in formal writing, any other words I can use instead of 'but' ?

Although, However are the ones I can think of right now.

Any others ?

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Oh but (ha!) this thread is not mine alone. I merely initiated it.

But Your Yetiship, there has to be some sanctity to that 'R' in a circle!

But I must confess I'm enjoying the liberty of being 'allowed' to start sentences with this conjoiner word!

[vivekiny2k]

while we are at conjunctions, remembered a sentence with there "because"s.

no sentence can be started with "because" because "because" is a conjunction.

[manaa45]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Is it ok to start a sentence with BUT ?

i think you have answered the question itself by using "Even though" instead of using 'but'

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Even though I do start a sentence with BUT many times, I think it's wrong.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

no sentence can be started with "because" because "because" is a conjunction.

Which of the following would be correct?
1) No sentence can be started with 'because' as it is a conjunction.
2) No sentence can be started with 'because' because it is a conjunction.
3) No sentence can be started with 'because' as 'because' is a conjunction.
4) 'Because' is a conjunction. Do not start a sentence with it.

[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Which of the following would be correct?
1) No sentence can be started with 'because' as it is a conjunction.
2) No sentence can be started with 'because' because it is a conjunction.
3) No sentence can be started with 'because' as 'because' is a conjunction.
4) 'Because' is a conjunction. Do not start a sentence with it.

As far as I know, all 4 are grammatically correct.

Originally Posted by manaa45

i think you have answered the question itself by using "Even though" instead of using 'but'

That is true, but I cant use "even though" everytime.

Although and However are closer to But.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

That sure is an innovative way to avoid using BUT to start a sentence !!

Anyway, in formal writing, any other words I can use instead of 'but' ?

Although, However are the ones I can think of right now.

Any others ?

There is no word or words that you can use, because you will be doing the same thing. You either start a new sentence, without 'but' or an equivalent phrase, or you continue your existing sentence, using but.

When you encounter this problem, you will probably also be facing the problem of long sentences!

By the way, my wife uses the word 'repair' or 'under repair' when she means 'broken'. Is this 'Tamil English' or simply an idiosyncrasy? I can imagine that perhaps someone once saw a machine with an over-optimistic sign, Under Repair on it, and understood that it actually meant, will never work again!

[deep_bang]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

By the way, my wife uses the word 'repair' or 'under repair' when she means 'broken'. Is this 'Tamil English' or simply an idiosyncrasy? I can imagine that perhaps someone once saw a machine with an over-optimistic sign, Under Repair on it, and understood that it actually meant, will never work again!

I have seen this happen with some people when i was in school. I truly wondered how this behavior came into being. ALso, i have seen this happen in Hyderabad - so, i dont think Tamil has anything to do with this.