i quite like all this PC stuff. if our big problem today is that we are overly polite and eager to avoid causing offence, and some language gets mangled, then it could be worse.
Personally, I am most concerned by Wilkie's reference to "practicing Christians".
I need someone to advice me on how to avoid these grammatical difficulties. I tried one of those pocket crossword solver things, but for grammar, it's a useless devise.
Ah, an American spelling during a rant about the Americanisation (Americanization?) of our winter festival. ("Proper" English: practice = noun, practise = verb)
trying to understand the difference above.....but do i take it that someone is challenging Wilkie on her use of English..........unheard of
If Wilkie has indeed got it wrong..... (I will not be convinced until she has had her retort)..........then is this the end of the world that has been foretold
I quadruple-Googled it just to make sure (and I'm still not 100%!!) but as I understand it, traditionally you use an 's' for the verb, e.g. I practise playing football, and a 'c' for the noun, e.g. a doctor's practice, but Americans use a 'c' for either.
It's one of these grey areas according to usage. The same rule supposedly applies to license/licence, although it seems more acceptable to use either spelling interchangeably. On your driving licence it's definitely spelt with a 'c' so I'll always spell it that way for the noun, but I wouldn't correct anyone using an 's'.
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I used to live in Canley...
It is Christmas, and not Xmas. That one really gets my goat.
i quite like all this PC stuff. if our big problem today is that we are overly polite and eager to avoid causing offence, and some language gets mangled, then it could be worse.
Happy Holidays
I need someone to advice me on how to avoid these grammatical difficulties. I tried one of those pocket crossword solver things, but for grammar, it's a useless devise.
"Practicing" is one of those funny words that looks wrong but isn't.
Reminds me, though, of a silly thing an ex BF of mine used to say, "I'm an Atheist," and then, for emphasis, "non-practicing"
Ah, an American spelling during a rant about the Americanisation (Americanization?) of our winter festival. ("Proper" English: practice = noun, practise = verb)
Lovely!
trying to understand the difference above.....but do i take it that someone is challenging Wilkie on her use of English..........unheard of
If Wilkie has indeed got it wrong..... (I will not be convinced until she has had her retort)..........then is this the end of the world that has been foretold
I quadruple-Googled it just to make sure (and I'm still not 100%!!) but as I understand it, traditionally you use an 's' for the verb, e.g. I practise playing football, and a 'c' for the noun, e.g. a doctor's practice, but Americans use a 'c' for either.
It's one of these grey areas according to usage. The same rule supposedly applies to license/licence, although it seems more acceptable to use either spelling interchangeably. On your driving licence it's definitely spelt with a 'c' so I'll always spell it that way for the noun, but I wouldn't correct anyone using an 's'.
My understanding is that either is acceptable....
Mine too - just don't call taps "faucets" that's plain wrong!
That's what I thought too