Grammar

"shall I interprate [sic] my own words for you even more?"No, Mike, there's no need for that. All you need to do is to put them in intelligible sentences. That seems to be quite a challenge for you already.

" 'Would a little grammar be too much to ask for too?'
There are too many 'too' in this sentence."Grammatically speaking, that's not true. IrishRockhound asked for one thing (for Mike to hear him out) and then for another thing (a little grammar). He seems concerned that it is too much to ask to be heard out. He is also concerned that a little grammar is too much to ask. Hence the second 'too'.Stylistically speaking however, IrishRockhound's sentence is a bit lame. Better would have been: "Would a little grammar be too much to ask for as well?" or "Also, would a little grammar be too much to ask for?"Mike, your grammar isn't all that bad (everybody is entitled to a few mistakes now and then) but you could work on your interpunction. A comma here and there would do wonders for the readability of your posts. Full stops also come in handy sometimes.Cheers.

I wasn't aware that the word 'for' could dangle, but then, I didn't learn English in the very state where Bushisms originate and where everything should be expressed in as non-dangling a way as possible, lest the locals don't understand and respond in the only manner they deem appropriate, being the pointing in one's face of the business end of a rather nasty appliance, locally known as a 'gun', asking in complete oblivion "What you leavin' this 'ere 'for' danglin' for, mister?"Not being in the immediate presence of Texans with guns, in a non-virtual way that is, I say: live and let dangle.

"I must ask. Did you learn English?"Well, from the fact that you ask I must conclude that it is indeed English I'm writing or else you wouldn't have understood, would you?"I believe Bush probably dangles quite a few modifiers."
No kidding."Interesting that you are equating official English usage with Texas [...]"
I'd hardly call expressing things in as non-dangling a way as possible 'official English usage'."[...] and at the same time making fun of the state for its dialect, which is far from standard."
I got that right then, eh?Considering the fact that English is not my native language, I think I can make myself reasonably well understood. Especially compared to some native speakers here.Anyway John, please don't be offended. I was just fooling around a bit. I have nothing against the state of Texas or its people. Next time it'll be the French, I promise.I'll ignore 'Brainiac'.Cheers.

John,"The point is, of course, that you are painfully ignorant of a major rule of English grammar."No, actually the point is that I'm (painfully or otherwise) aware of more rules of English grammar than many a native speaker."Formal, official, strict English grammar does indeed forbid dangling prepositions. [...] The rule is violated more than followed, of course."
Exactly. Who says I'm writing official, strict English, anyway? The style here is pretty colloquial and I see no problem adapting to it."[...] the irony is that the grammar you have been attributing to Texas, isn't a part of the regional dialect."
So I, a non-native speaker, don't know the ins and outs of Texan regional dialects. Big deal.Cheers anyway.

So there.(Thanks Rrhain.)[This message has been edited by Parasomnium, 07-30-2003]

John, what is it for which you are waiting?
(Rrhain, 'kid', you'd better dive for cover now.)

Erm, guys?Could you kiss and make up please? I wouldn't want the two of you to argue about a mistake I made in my presumptious attempt to correct a native speaker. That my example was, in some strict sense, grammatically incorrect is a shame of course, but in my defence I can only say that I hear native speakers use this form (ending a sentence in a preposition) quite a lot. I could argue of course that instead of talking about grammar I was merely pointing out that stylistically the sentence could be improved upon (sorry), but that would be pedantic, so I won't. See? I even struck it out.Maybe we can conclude that language is yet another thing that is susceptible to evolution, which is what we really should be talking about (sorry), and which I think you both show an admirable ability and zest in doing. Keep it up!Cheers.

[nervous]Shit! Just as I thought I was winning Admin's favour by suggesting they stay on-topic, it turns out that I'm guilty of off-topicness my self! [/nervous] [hysteric]Aaaargh! I'm doing it again! Sorry, sorry, sorry! [/hysteric]