Grammar Nazi Friendly Thread

[elizabethT]

Hi, everyone! Let me introduce myself first so you'd have a short backgrounder... I excelled in practically all my English classes from elementary to college, and even in grad school, but I can't help but notice that I do have some grammar lapses in some of my posts in other forums. I have not graduated from exclusive schools nor from the top tier universities in Manila so that explains my not-so-good proficiency in English despite my excellent performances in my English classes.

But my true-blue perfectionist self makes me want to refine the way I write, the way I speak. I could do that through available tutorials in the net or through some books. Yet I just want to try a little experiment, just to further improve my writing skill, and that is through this medium...

In this thread, I am asking all Grammar Nazis to do your thing: correct my statements! But I think everyone needs to know how this will work first so here's the drill:

1. I will post messages.
2. You will correct my statements.
3. If you could suggest a more appropriate term, then YOU MUST. If you could suggest a more concise manner of writing the same statement, then YOU MUST.
4. Sarcasm is invited, just to have more fun . I'm willing to get a little embarrassed, a little intimidated, so it'll be harder to forget the lesson.

I figured that the best way to learn a skill is through application. This medium is a definite answer to that need. Besides, I think I just need some minor refinements in the way I write. I know there are existing grammar threads here in pex but they are somehow boring and ineffective (at least as to me) so I am trying this little experiment.

And so, I am inviting all grammar nazis to correct me. Let's start with this very post!

[trogdolyte]

Hi, everyone! Let me introduce myself first so you'd have a short backgrounder... I excelled in practically all my English classes from elementary to college, and even in grad school, but I can't help but notice that I do have some grammar lapses in some of my posts in other forums. I have not graduated from exclusive schools nor from the top tier universities in Manila so that explains my not-so-good proficiency in English despite my excellent performances in my English classes.

But my true-blue perfectionist self makes me want to refine the way I write, the way I speak. I could do that through available tutorials in the net or through some books. Yet I just want to try a little experiment, just to further improve my writing skill, and that is through this medium...

In this thread, I am asking all Grammar Nazis to do your thing: correct my statements! But I think everyone needs to know how this will work first so here's the drill:

1. I will post messages.
2. You will correct my statements.
3. If you could suggest a more appropriate term, then YOU MUST. If you could suggest a more concise manner of writing the same statement, then YOU MUST.
4. Sarcasm is invited, just to have more fun . I'm willing to get a little embarrassed, a little intimidated, so it'll be harder to forget the lesson.

I figured that the best way to learn a skill is through application. This medium is a definite answer to that need. Besides, I think I just need some minor refinements in the way I write. I know there are existing grammar threads here in pex but they are somehow boring and ineffective (at least as to me) so I am trying this little experiment.

And so, I am inviting all grammar nazis to correct me. Let's start with this very post!

IMHO, I think it's appropriate to say, "I'm willing to get a little embarrassment, and a little intimidation. . ."

Otherwise, you could have said, [I]"I'm willing to get embarrassed and intimidated, so it will be harder (for me) to forget the lesson."

Am I right? I don't know.

[LOLOLOLOL]

will you correcting my posts?

[gene69]

Hi, everyone! Let me introduce myself first so you'd have a short backgrounder... I excelled in practically all my English classes from elementary to college, and even in grad school, but I can't help but notice that I do have some grammar lapses in some of my posts in other forums. I have not graduated from exclusive schools nor from the top tier universities in Manila so that explains my not-so-good proficiency in English despite my excellent performances in my English classes.

But my true-blue perfectionist self makes me want to refine the way I write, the way I speak. I could do that through available tutorials in the net or through some books. Yet I just want to try a little experiment, just to further improve my writing skill, and that is through this medium...

In this thread, I am asking all Grammar Nazis to do your thing: correct my statements! But I think everyone needs to know how this will work first so here's the drill:

1. I will post messages.
2. You will correct my statements.
3. If you could suggest a more appropriate term, then YOU MUST. If you could suggest a more concise manner of writing the same statement, then YOU MUST.
4. Sarcasm is invited, just to have more fun . I'm willing to get a little embarrassed, a little intimidated, so it'll be harder to forget the lesson.

I figured that the best way to learn a skill is through application. This medium is a definite answer to that need. Besides, I think I just need some minor refinements in the way I write. I know there are existing grammar threads here in pex but they are somehow boring and ineffective (at least as to me) so I am trying this little experiment.

And so, I am inviting all grammar nazis to correct me. Let's start with this very post!

pls define "grammar nazis" first and pls cite the origin of the term.

[jielun]

Since I'm bored I'll give this a try. I will try to point out as many mistakes as I can, some of which may not even be mistakes at all. I will also try to be as critical as needed, pero minsan drama lang yun. LOLz.

Hi, everyone! Let me introduce myself first so you'd have a short backgrounder...
- ...

I excelled in practically all my English classes from elementary to college, and even in grad school, but I can't help but notice that I do have some grammar lapses in some of my posts in other forums.

I have not graduated from exclusive schools nor from the top tier universities in Manila so that explains my not-so-good proficiency in English despite my excellent performances in my English classes.
- have not is used for an action that has not happened but may (expectedly) so sometime in the future. This is called the negative present-perfect tense (Ano raw?). I don't suppose you still have plans of getting into a exclusive school (grade school or high school) anytime soon.
- parang transliterated yung "my not-so-good proficiency in English despite my excellent performances in my English classes", para kasing Filipino yung word pattern. (also I think performances should not plural in this case.)
BETTER: I believe that my occassional lapses in using English may be due to the fact that I did not come from exclusive schools or top-tier universities, whose students are known to be fluent in English.

But my true-blue perfectionist self makes me want to refine the way I write, the way I speak. I could do that through available tutorials in the net or through some books. Yet I just want to try a little experiment, just to further improve my writing skill, and that is through this medium...
- beware of using a conjunction at the beginning of your sentence. Ayos lang to if you're trying to create a conversational tone, pero otherwise, this is not a very standard construction.
- ang hirap i-edit to make the sentence sound better. At worst the sentence has plenty of very awkward phrases (for example, "through this medium"). Kung English speaker ang magbabasa malinaw nang ang nagsulat at second language lang niya ang English.

In this thread, I am asking all Grammar Nazis to do your thing: correct my statements! But I think everyone needs to know how this will work first so here's the drill:
1. I will post messages.
2. You will correct my statements.
3. If you could suggest a more appropriate term, then YOU MUST. If you could suggest a more concise manner of writing the same statement, then YOU MUST.
4. Sarcasm is invited, just to have more fun . I'm willing to get a little embarrassed, a little intimidated, so it'll be harder to forget the lesson.
- again the "but" at the beginning.
BETTER: In this thread, I ask all Grammar Nazis to do your thing: point out every single grammatical error in my posts and correct them. Here's how the drill works:
1. etc.
- could is like the past tense of can, although marami ring ibang uses (see http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/could/menu.php). In this case, can is better.
BETTER: If you can make suggestions ... etc.

I figured that the best way to learn a skill is through application. This medium is a definite answer to that need. Besides, I think I just need some minor refinements in the way I write. I know there are existing grammar threads here in pex but they are somehow boring and ineffective (at least as to me) so I am trying this little experiment.
- again the word medium. Nothing wrong with it per se, but for me it sounds awkward.

And so, I am inviting all grammar nazis to correct me. Let's start with this very post!
- you started with Grammar Nazis (capitalized) so at least be consistent.

In sum, here's what I'll advise you to do. Read more books and immerse yourself in the idiomatic peculiarities of the English language. Sa grade school kasi at high school, tinuturuan tayo ng mga salita tulad ng "cornucopia", "ostentatious", "elixir" and yet our teachers don't bother teaching us the difference between "put in", "put on", "put off", etc. We also tend to mix slang to collloquial words with formal sounding ones, and to shift in writing style (often unconsciously). For example, one might say "... he gave me a fright ..." and then continue somewhere else with "... and I was like...". More than building your vocabulary and mastering all grammar rules it is best to develop a good ear for the language, a sense of correctness and balance in terms of word choice, sentence length, etc.

[elizabethT]

^^Thanks, dear. Can you cite some authorities (if you can)? My professors are at odds with some of your corrections... :/

[jielun]

Which corrections is your professor at odds with?

[gene69]

can we comment on each other's grammar and not just elizabethT's?

[gene69]

will you correcting my posts?

eto ang hirap i-correct.

[jielun]

eto ang hirap i-correct.

Better: Will you correction my posts?
Best: Will you diserrorize my postations?



Okay, serious mode next time.

[R3'91]

Grammar Nazi

Definition:

Grammar Nazi (a.k.a Grammar Police) refers to someone who believes it is his/her duty to amend any grammar and/or spelling mistakes made by others in conversation. In most cases, the term carries a negative connotation of either being a buzzkiller who ruins a good joke by getting too technical or a n00b that’s fallen into the Grammar Trap, an intentional practice of using incorrect grammar for the purpose of spotting a Grammar Nazi. (source)

Grammar Nazis in action:


Heil!!

[gene69]

http://i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/001/639/Grammar-Nazi-1613.png

Grammar Nazi

Definition:

Grammar Nazi (a.k.a Grammar Police) refers to someone who believes it is his/her duty to amend any grammar and/or spelling mistakes made by others in conversation. In most cases, the term carries a negative connotation of either being a buzzkiller who ruins a good joke by getting too technical or a n00b that’s fallen into the Grammar Trap, an intentional practice of using incorrect grammar for the purpose of spotting a Grammar Nazi. (source)

Grammar Nazis in action:
[video=youtube;f8fbrUjjivw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f8fbrUjjivw

Heil!!

thanks!

[elizabethT]

Which corrections is your professor at odds with?

forget about this. let's talk about conjunctions! Like:

* of which
* by which
* from which
* thereof
* thereat
* therewith
* therefrom

etcetera! my mediocre mind gets dizzy over all these! @_@

[elhy]

Some tip: If you'll read some English grammar, compare prescriptive grammars with descriptive grammars. Then make your choice.

Judge if you'll accept 'I am taller than him,' as equally valid as 'I am taller than he.' or you'll follow the prescriptivist approach and only consider the latter as valid.

Consider also that we are learning these grammar rules to better use the language, not to be slaves to them. For example, in traditional grammar, we should not split the infinitive. Thus prescriptivists would cringe when I typed 'to better use.' For them, the sentence should have been written "...to use the language better." However, my usage is already accepted in Standard English, plus it's more effective by giving more emphasis to 'better.'

To recapitulate, to communicate better is the goal, not the rigid application of all English grammar rules.

[Dunkler_Ritter]

Hier riecht es nach brauner Scheiße! Wie eklig! Diese blöden Menschen haben keine Gehirne und sind dümmer als Bohnenstroh.

Es ist verboten, Google-Übersetzer zu benutzen.

[jielun]

While grammar is necessary, it shouldn't be placed on top of your writing toolbox. Too much fussiness with grammar neglects the inherent flexibility of the English language.

As users of English as a second language, we should pay more attention to the way we construct our sentences. More often than not, they reflect the sentence structure of Filipino, which sounds awkward to a native English speaker. Honestly, TS, every sentence you wrote here (and mine, as well) reeks of that awkward structure.

[elizabethT]

elhy and jielun: precisely the reasons why i put up this thread. i want to hear myself express my thoughts more concisely and more clearly. some rhetorics, if possible. heheh. i believe there is a need since words are the tools of trade in my profession. but i guess, i've posted this in the wrong forum. perhaps those who speak english as their major language are the more appropriate audience for this matter.

[jielun]

precisely the reasons why i put up this thread.
- BETTER: precisely why I put up ...

i want to hear myself express my thoughts more concisely and more clearly.
- I dont know exactly what you mean by "want to hear myself"
BETTER: i want to express my thoughts and see if I have done it concisely and clearly.

some rhetorics, if possible.
- consider revising

i believe there is a need since words are the tools of trade in my profession.
- English or lit major ka ba?

but i guess, i've posted this in the wrong forum.
- not really. May darating din jang expert who will reply soon. Maybe sux2bu, taga Academe din kasi siya. Hintay lang tayo.

perhaps those who speak english as their major language are the more appropriate audience for this matter
- BETTER: native English speakers, or those who speak English as their first language. "major language" is ambiguous.

It's really hard to point out grammatical mistakes when most of the sentences are better of revised entirely. Pero ituloy pa rin natin here.

Sorry for being so critical. Love you! (May ganun? )

[elizabethT]

i believe there is a need since words are the tools of trade in my profession.
- English or lit major ka ba?

No, dear. Apparently...

perhaps those who speak english as their major language are the more appropriate audience for this matter
- BETTER: native English speakers, or those who speak English as their first language. "major language" is ambiguous.

Quite adamant to use those terms. Americans and Australians are not indigenous to America and Australia respectively but they speak English as their major language. But, well, I might just be confused. Lol.
[/QUOTE]

[jielun]

Masyado namang pedantic ang interpretation mo sa word na "native". And given that our ancestors are mostly nomads, then there's nothing that we can refer to as "native language".

Americans and Australians are native speakers of English dahil naging "native" na rin ang English sa America since the Caucasian population of British-ancestry had engulfed those of Native Americans for a very long time. "Native language" is synonymous with "first language", and in this case, the original meaning of the word "native" has been lost, if we stick to your original interpretation of the word "native".

On the other hand, a "major language" usually refers to one which is spoken by the majority of the population in a certain area. For example, Chinese is one of the world's major languages. Cebuano is a major language in the Philippines. However, the phrase "speak it as a major language" is awkward.

Consider:

speak it as a major language = speak it because a great number speaks it

speak it as a first language = speak it as a native language = having learned the language as a child