Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 2 of 5 1 2 3 4 5
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
OK. None of the languages is consistantly logic,I guess. Right. Of mine is funny too. Better drop the thing then as more and more of these illogical things will turn up.
How can language be logic as we aren't either. (not wanting to offend the totally logic person, whoever he/she might be, on this board )
I still have a totally unreliable computer situation. So I salute you all. Till the next five mites may turn up.

Last edited by BranShea; 12/08/08 06:30 PM.
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
I thought of another example of the genitive not indicating possession:

"There is a red Ford pickup truck in the parking lot blocking access to the loading area. Will the truck's owner please report to customer service."

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876
old hand
Offline
old hand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876
So, the parking lot is blocking access to the loading area? Why is the truck taking the blame? wink

Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Originally Posted By: twosleepy
So, the parking lot is blocking access to the loading area? Why is the truck taking the blame? wink


Uh-huh. What's the word for someone who exhibits willful misunderstanding?

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Originally Posted By: Faldage
Originally Posted By: twosleepy
So, the parking lot is blocking access to the loading area? Why is the truck taking the blame? wink


Uh-huh. What's the word for someone who exhibits willful misunderstanding?


Faldage?


/snicker


formerly known as etaoin...
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,915
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,915
Likes: 2
I like that 'truck's owner' genitive. Good one.
And: would it be "my friend and me went to the store".
Me went to the store????
We have definitely been thru this before.


----please, draw me a sheep----
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,915
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,915
Likes: 2
You guys must do this all day long to become "carpal tunnel".


----please, draw me a sheep----
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Well Javaneight, I don't think me ever made seven posts a day. grin
But it ìs a somewhat addictive business.

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Originally Posted By: LukeJavan8
You guys must do this all day long to become "carpal tunnel".


heh

I've been here 5 and a half years, so... it adds up.

:¬ )


formerly known as etaoin...
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Originally Posted By: etaoin
Originally Posted By: Faldage
Originally Posted By: twosleepy
So, the parking lot is blocking access to the loading area? Why is the truck taking the blame? wink


Uh-huh. What's the word for someone who exhibits willful misunderstanding?


Faldage?


/snicker


Uh-huh.

So lessee, how could I have worded it so y'all couldn't possibly distort the meaning. The original was:
Quote:
"There is a red Ford pickup truck in the parking lot blocking access to the loading area."


How about :

"There is a red Ford pickup truck blocking access to the loading area in the parking lot."

No, that makes it sound like the loading area is in the parking lot.

How about:

"In the parking lot there is a red Ford pickup truck blocking access to the loading area."

Well, that's a little awkward, isn't it.


How about:

"There is a red Ford pickup truck in the parking lot blocking access to the loading area."

Yeah, that's it. Wait a minute, that's the original. Hmm.

And who's blaming anyone, or thing?

Page 2 of 5 1 2 3 4 5

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,271
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
1 members (A C Bowden), 285 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,502
LukeJavan8 9,915
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5