Registered: Mar 2002
Location: what's the difference
quote:
Originally posted by Maaz
By the way, this whole speech is based on the fact that I believe that "lose" and "loose" are pronounced the same way
They're not, actually. "Loose" is pronounced with a hard "s" as in "see" or "bliss", but in the word "lose" the "s" sounds like "zzzz" because of the silent E at the end.
If I'm not mistaken, the emphasis on grammar in earlier days was connected with race and class distinctions, i.e. the people from good homes say it like this and the people from bad homes say it like that.
But I think that attention to grammar, and particularly vocabulary, is important today for the sake of clear communication with all the nuances, underlying meanings and moods intact. (I'm working on it myself.)
As for English getting an update, it depends on who has power. I've been told that a certain American president in the 1930s erroneously said "normalcy" instead of the proper word at the time, "normality". So what happened? Everyone in the country said "normalcy" from then on and it became an accepted word. Now think of Dubya and this "Nu-kue-lar" thing of his...
Aug-26-2003 04:11
MrSquirrel
Auf Wiedersehen
Registered: Aug 2003
Location: In a Tree.
I have been known to become a "grammar nazi" on forums in the past because I got sick of people using either "l337 speak" or using their - there - they're and your - you're improperly.
I came up with a theory about this back when I was in college and the whole thing had not yet become some prevalent. I theorized that the root cause was the lack of reading people do. I tend to do quite a bit of reading (have read 84 books already this year) and always have, thus I am more used to seeing what teh written language is "supposed" to look like on paper. In high school and my first 2 years of college I was able to write a paper with ease in one draft, but in my final 2 years of college I began having trouble forming decent prose and it dawned on me why that was. Those last 2 years of college, 95% of what I had been reading was plays for theatre history classes. Because I was now more accustomed to seeing dialogue and stage directions only, I was not automatically able to write well in prose.
Basic moral of my story: read more books/magazines and read less plays
And for some reason the term "Pet Peeve" has always bothered me....but I too agree that the thread is one of mine as well.
MrS
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Aug-26-2003 04:18
Taz
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Mar 2002
Location: what's the difference
Oh and the OLDEST and MOST NOTORIOUS internet misspelling:
"too" with one "o"
examples:
"That's to much!"
"All this and tacos to."
Aug-26-2003 04:18
klingklang77
blank
Registered: Nov 2002
Location: NY & Sydney&Frankfurt&Munich
i have to agree that loosing vs. losing actually annoys me aswell. but it is a forum where the language is informal. i admit i am one of those people that forgets apostrophes, but that is just b/c i am lazy about hitting the ' key. actually using contractions is improper in the english language; that is what my sister tells me and she is an english professor.
loosing isnt a verb it is an adjective w/ an -ing. losing is a verb.
doesnt matter does it? as long as the point has been made. that is just my opinion.
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Aug-26-2003 04:38
NYGblue
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Apr 2003
Location: Spain from Jan. to July
quote:
Originally posted by DJ Chrono
loosing is a verb too though
my brain is fried...
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Aug-26-2003 05:42
UWM
mandroid
Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Here
I want to strangle anyone who uses U, R, Ur, and Y? as words in their typing.
* EDIT - Gah I just realized I broke 3000 posts.
Aug-26-2003 06:17
'mju:zik
boomchikhaboom
Registered: Apr 2003
Location: Orangethumb Land, currently TO
Re: Pet Peeve - Losing vs Loosing
quote:
Originally posted by Swamper
Why is it in the past 2 years the confusion over which to use seems to be on the rise?
I just saw "loosing" used twice in a huge mailout by a respectable web company when they really meant "losing".
Originally posted by Renegade
And then get your homophones in order:
Hey! You two stop giggling at the back there!
Bad grammar is something that I'm used to after spending so much time on these forums. It doesn't really bother me though, as long as what people have typed is comprehensible. But...
Outside of the forums it IS annoying. I watched a music video yesterday in which "loose" was used instead of "lose". No excuse, really...
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Aug-26-2003 12:02
tu_face
No Known Cure...
Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Sheffield, UK
quote:
Originally posted by Renegade
Seriously, though, learn how to spell:
Definately
its definitely, as it is not finite
seriously tho, i am one of those people who misses out 's capitals, does improper puctualtion like putting this... or.. all the time when its not required. but this is mainly down to the fact that im typing on the internet and cant be bothered with the extra effort for something that isnt formal or required to have proper spelling, grammar or puntuation.
for something that is formal, i always check it thru a couple of times. confusing 'loosing' with 'losing' is idiocy if ur native language is english... even on the internet.