2008 Season Opener for: "Irritating Words and Expressions" 1

[SantaMufasa]

As several have requested, this thread puts to bed the old, longer-than-comfortable thread that has a similar title.

<soap box>

My Pet Peeve of verbal irritation is the seemingly universal abuse of pronouns on either side of any form/conjugation/tense of the verb infinitive, "to be".

This verb is unique in that it implies equality. As we know from maths class, "If A = B, then B = A". In English, this correlates to "If A is B, then B is A". This implies that if we use pronouns on either side of any usage of the verb "to be", the pronouns should be nominative/subjective, not objective.

Specifically, when we use "to be", pronouns should be subjective: I, he, she, we, they; not objective: me, him, her, us, them.

Abuse: It's me.
Correction: It's I.
Reverse to prove: "I am it."; not "Me am it."

Abuse: The winners should be us.
Correction: The winners should be we.
Reverse to prove: "We should be the winners."; not "Us should be the winners."

Abuse: The most qualified is her.
Correction: The most qualified is she.
Reverse to prove: "She is the most qualified."; not "Her is the most qualified."

Sammy Davis Jr. Lyric abuse: "I've Gotta Be Me."
Less poetic correction: "I Must Be I".
Reverse to prove: "I must be I"; not "Me have got to be I."

So, let's please always use subjective/nominative pronouns when using any form/conjucation/tense of the infinitive, "to be".

</soap box>



Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[Bandenjamin]

My critical thinking professor drives me nuts with "Right?". He literally ends every sentance with either "Right?" or "Ya Know?".....I don't know is it right? You're the professor!!!

--Dan
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain

 

[SantaMufasa]

Dan,

Next time he says it, respond:

Of course it's right...you wouldn't lie to us, RIGHT?

or,

In cases that you don't end a sentence with 'Right?', should we assume that you are lying to us?

Must be very irritating, right?

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[2ffat]

Sammy Davis Jr. Lyric abuse: "I've Gotta Be Me."

This brings up an irritating point. Popular songs, titles, phrases, etc. often then to "downgrade" our language. I guess it's like Pink Floyd says, "I don't need no edukation!"



James P. Cottingham
-----------------------------------------
[sup]I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229![/sup]

 

[JcBWF]

Says instead of said.....Unless you are writing a play, nobody says. Example: I guess it's like Pink Floyd says, "I don't need no edukation!"

 

[gbaughma]

I can't believe the number of singers nowadays who don't put the ends on their words.

I'll offer up an example:

"Silen nigh... holy nigh... all is call... all is bri...."

When I took voice lessons, they made us OVER annunciate the consonants at the ends of words, so that we pronounced them when performing.

But listen to the radio some time... your brain, especially if you know the lyrics, will put the ends on the words. But listen... quite often they're not there! <Sigh>

And they're making HOW MUCH MONEY compared to me?

<bigger sigh>



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[KenCunningham]

James. I think you'll find it's 'We don't need no education', and that the phrase is being used to prove that the opposite is in fact the case.

I want to be good, is that not enough?

 

[flapeyre]

Greg -
I always thought that Greg Allman sings right after he gets a root canal.

Solum potestis prohibere ignes silvarum.

 

[chiph]

For 2008, one of my resolutions is not to start every other sentence with the word "So".

So, what do you think my chances are?

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[CajunCenturion]

So-so.

--------------
Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read
FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[SantaMufasa]

CC, you're such a so-and-so.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[kjv1611]

So what's the point? So what if you begin every sentence with the word, "so."

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[CajunCenturion]

So what's your point?

--------------
Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read
FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[CajunCenturion]

chiph - I wish you all the luck in your resolution, so that you may reap what you don't so.


--------------
Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read
FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Michael52x]

So, where's my document?
This said by a worker bee while looking right at the printer that is completely taken apart!
"Can I print something now?"
No, not unless you have a toner, fuser, and paper under all that fat!
"Please stay on the line, your call is important to us."
"Press one for English"
"I changed my mind" I like change. Got any to spare?
I must really be getting silly if I'm still writing this!
Post mortem!

"Impatience will reward you with dissatisfaction" RMS Cosmics'97

 

[Welshbird]

My old boss once invited me to work at her house, and pointed out that if I plugged in the cable I might use her iwreless network.

I'll say no more to protect the guilty.

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[kjv1611]

if I plugged in the cable I might use her iwreless network.

[ROFL]

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[Opieo]

pointed out that if I plugged in the cable I might use her iwreless network.

Ahhh priceless.
Where would we get so many funny lines from if everybody was super computer savvy. Ahh I love it.

~
Chuck Norris is the reason Waldo is hiding.

 

[lisaharris]

The phrase the irritates me most is "went missing." Since when is "missing" a destination?


__________
It's better to have loved and lost than live with the idiot for the rest of your life.

 

[SamBones]

missing" is my destination every time I go on holiday!