Originally posted by Bosse de NageMmmm ... copula ... 😀
At least I can make sense of ordinary language...
" "There are ten desks here."
The nomenclature used for the constituents of sentences such as this [b]is still a matter of some dispute, but there might be called subject, are copula, and ten desks predicate nominal. Meanwhile here is an adverbial phrase that conveniently reveals the ...[text shortened]... there in this example." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expletive
(I had to look it up too.)[/b]
Originally posted by Bosse de NageNow. Don't you feel better about yourself since you actually researched something yourself instead of asking me to explain, expound or enlighten you on subjects and definitions you are curious about? Bask in that "new" warm feeling of accomplishment.
Nice cut and paste job. Very interesting. From the conclusion to the same article:
"A number of developments - ranging from the continuing printing of fiat money while maintaining a peg to gold, the budget deficit problems, to the Vietnam War, to marginal tax rates - have been blamed for the collapse of the Bretton Woods system. The fundamental poin ...[text shortened]... t he did unilaterally break a commitment and set the US up for more interesting times.
I am so pleased I could be of help to your growing abilities my son.
Originally posted by Bosse de NageThat's pretty unclear too. This is better:
At least I can make sense of ordinary language...
" "There are ten desks here."
The nomenclature used for the constituents of sentences such as this [b]is still a matter of some dispute, but there might be called subject, are copula, and ten desks predicate nominal. Meanwhile here is an adverbial phrase that conveniently reveals the ...[text shortened]... there in this example." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expletive
(I had to look it up too.)[/b]
Be careful with sentences that begin with "there" plus a form of the verb "to be." In such sentences, "there" is not the subject; it merely signals that the true subject will soon follow.
There were three stray kittens cowering under our porch steps this morning.
If you ask who? or what? before the verb ("were cowering"😉, the answer is "three stray kittens," the correct subject.
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/subjpred.html
Originally posted by treetalkSo you feel "keeping one's head above water" is clear and precise terminology?
Don't know if this has been mentioned as I skipped through most of the argument but:
Deucer wrote, 'people like my parents who worked there whole life, and did there best, but would have a meager retirement if not for their children.'
Ignoring the spelling mistakes with there/their, the grammar is fine in the subject/predicate debate - he's answering ...[text shortened]... a while since I taught grammar ...
Anyway, what was being disputed was, in fact, fine.
To me, it's just words without meaning. There's some hinting, some implication, but the actual statement is meaningless.
A brief message to ATY and BDN,
Wether I capitilize, spell correctly, or write with eloquence, and elegance is a ridiculus argument. As BDN stated, my communication was clear, to pretend otherwise is to dismiss the argument itself (which I find arrogant and objectionable). I try and speak plainly when posting, as many here do not have an extensive vocabulary, or, in the case of some members, english is a second language.
BDN, I appreciate your attempts at sticking up for me, but ATY has proven in the past that he is woefully ignorant on most of the topics discussed.
ATY, you have a lot to learn about life. Being pedantic is not a trait anyone should aspire to. It is not a compliment to be called that, it is an insult; something you would know if you looked the word up.
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Originally posted by duecerYour communication was not clear, no matter how often you say it was.
A brief message to ATY and BDN,
Wether I capitilize, spell correctly, or write with eloquence, and elegance is a ridiculus argument. As BDN stated, my communication was clear, to pretend otherwise is to dismiss the argument itself (which I find arrogant and objectionable). I try and speak plainly when posting, as many here do not have an extensive vocab ...[text shortened]... mpliment to be called that, it is an insult; something you would know if you looked the word up.
Tell me - what does it mean to "keep one's head above water"? I still don't know. Literally, it means you don't drown, but somehow I doubt that you were referring to death.
You're using emotionally charged phrases without meaning.
When I see someone write about statistical facts talking about "millions of people" I want to know exactly what's being discussed. "Head above water"? Come on.
What about all those millions of hardworking Americans, like myself, who work all day just to maintain their financial honor? F us?
Why do you hate us honorable people so much?
Originally posted by duecerWhen I'm being told your sorry posts are more clear and coherent than mine, I must respond, because it's clearly not true. Only those biased towards your point of view could possibly think otherwise.
A brief message to ATY and BDN,
Wether I capitilize, spell correctly, or write with eloquence, and elegance is a ridiculus argument. As BDN stated, my communication was clear, to pretend otherwise is to dismiss the argument itself (which I find arrogant and objectionable). I try and speak plainly when posting, as many here do not have an extensive vocab ...[text shortened]... mpliment to be called that, it is an insult; something you would know if you looked the word up.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThis is what passes for an intelligent response from you? I pity the children you teach😞
Your communication was not clear, no matter how often you say it was.
Tell me - what does it mean to "keep one's head above water"? I still don't know. Literally, it means you don't drown, but somehow I doubt that you were referring to death.
You're using emotionally charged phrases without meaning.
When I see someone write about statistical ...[text shortened]... maintain their financial honor? F us?
Why do you hate us honorable people so much?
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThank you for proving both our (mine and BDN) points for us. Your last 2 posts border on stupidity.
When I'm being told your sorry posts are more clear and coherent than mine, I must respond, because it's clearly not true. Only those biased towards your point of view could possibly think otherwise.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungAbsolutely.
So you feel "keeping one's head above water" is clear and precise terminology?
To me, it's just words without meaning. There's some hinting, some implication, but the actual statement is meaningless.
English is filled will idioms - it's one of the traits that makes it so expressive ... and difficult to learn/teach!
Keeping one's head above water is very plain in its meaning: struggling but coping.
If you think that has no meaning then how about other figurative expressions and idiomatic phrases?
Stuck in a rut.
I could eat a horse.
Pi$$ing into the wind.
... the myriad ways one can describe being drunk.
They are not meant in a literal sense but are directly analogous to what is being talked about.
The primary function of language is to communicate and personally, I had no difficulty understanding deucer's post.
I think you'd find most people here have posted things that have mistakes of grammar, spelling and/or punctuation. I'm sure most of my posts aren't perfect and I used to teach the smegging language!
As long as the meaning is clear then who cares? We're debating here; not trying to produce perfect prose.
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Originally posted by treetalk"Struggling but coping" - more empty words.
Absolutely.
English is filled will idioms - it's one of the traits that makes it so expressive ... and difficult to learn/teach!
Keeping one's head above water is very plain in its meaning: struggling but coping.
If you think that has no meaning then how about other figurative expressions and idiomatic phrases?
Stuck in a rut.
I could eat a hor eaning is clear then who cares? We're debating here; not trying to produce perfect prose.
Why don't you try something involving precise terms like "poverty line", "owns own home", "owns a car", "starvation", "lack of access to antibiotics"...
Those mean something. "Keeping head above water"..."struggling but coping"..."working to maintain financial honor"....meaningless.
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Originally posted by treetalkStuck in a rut.
Absolutely.
English is filled will idioms - it's one of the traits that makes it so expressive ... and difficult to learn/teach!
Keeping one's head above water is very plain in its meaning: struggling but coping.
If you think that has no meaning then how about other figurative expressions and idiomatic phrases?
Stuck in a rut.
I could eat a hor eaning is clear then who cares? We're debating here; not trying to produce perfect prose.
I could eat a horse.
Pi$$ing into the wind.
These are not phrases I would use in a debate situation precisely because they are imprecise and unclear...especially if I were quoting hard statistics involving numbers of people.
personally, I had no difficulty understanding deucer's post.
Because you're biased in his favor already.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungATY, your are struggling to keep your head above water in this argument, and not succesfully.
"Struggling but coping" - more empty words.
Why don't you try something involving precise terms like "poverty line", "owns own home", "owns a car", "starvation", "lack of access to antibiotics"...
Those mean something. "Keeping head above water"..."struggling but coping"..."working to maintain financial honor"....meaningless.