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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 52
journeyman
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OP
journeyman
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 52 |
She "lighted" a cigarette...She "lit" a cigarette????
All the books I read or taped books I listen to invariably say "lighted". These are mostly mysteries. What is wrong with "lit"? Obviously I didn't hold up hand when asked if I wanted to know about grammer,etc...to late to ask forgiveness!
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
My dictionary says "lit" is an alternative for "lighted". I don't see any important choice between them.
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
I agree with Bill on this. My own choice would be guided entirely by which sounded best to me at the time.
I have noticed, over the past ten or fifteen years, that this alternative construction has been carried over (usually, but not always in a jocular vein) to other words. So, one is neither "frighted" nor "frightened", but "frit". Which, I suppose, makes the agent of afright a "fritter"
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 427
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 427 |
My preference for "lit" is entirely phonological. It is sharp and immediate, much like turning lights on with a switch or striking a match. 
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear RC: Careful about frit. It is used in ceramics for some of the materials used. So don't fritter away your energies on it. I'd be frightened to eat your fritter, lest an afrit be released. wwh
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
Dear Bill, I will be careful: I would hate to cause a rift between us - the very thought gives me terrif. pain. I will give very serious thought before I include it in my tarif. 
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear RC: Indeed the Mid-Alantic rift is rift enough between us.
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
But it would be as nothing if I weren't frit of flying!
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156 |
I am surprised...I don't think I would ever say "lighted". I didn't even know it was a "real word". The exclusive use of "lit" must be some strange Canadian thing...or western Canadian thing...I don't really know. [shrug]
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear Bean: You have lighted a fire under me. But I will be delighted by its warmth. Just now a mockingbird alighted on the telephone wire outside me window. All the birds here are flighted. Not an ostrich in sight, I plight my troth.
I am benighted enough to use both "lit" and "lighted."
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