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Joined: Aug 2005
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
You could start by reading this short Wikipedia article ( link). I'll look around for a reading bibliography.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
A flock takes a plural verb, but a herd does not. They're the same thing as far as the referents go.
In spite of much as I respect you why do I feel slightly cheated?
Maybe not by you, but by the flock and the herd.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
why do I feel slightly cheated?
Sorry about that. I just tend not to put much meaning in how vocabulary and grammar vary. I find it interesting, but I'm not sure there's any great secret behind the flock or the herd. Faldo and others have different opinions. maybe they can help me out.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,944 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,944 Likes: 3 |
Yes thanks. I would be interested to know more, but do dumb it down a bit. I am not as well informed as you in grammar or computers, and some times your posts I find hard to understand. The grammar as variable substitution post I understood ferpectly though. I guess I am in the same situation, but did not quite know how to say it. Thanks Avy for saying it.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
I'm not after secrets today but I think it makes little sense that a flock are and a herd is. Well.. whatever
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
I agree, Bran, but that's English for you!!
:¬ )
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
but I think it makes little sense that a flock are and a herd is.
Remember, I said for me. Others may differ. Little about language makes sense. I've just gotten used to it.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,944 Likes: 3 |
I am trying to think if I ever heard of the cowhands
saying "the herd are restless" tonight, in any old
Western, but nope, it is always the herd is.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 724
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 724 |
Interesting is the way I begin the article on linguistics because at the begining I can make some connection (often fascinating) to practice. Then the connection is lost and the meaning gets mired in concepts and terminology, and the subject appears to get divorced from practice. Then I go "uff" and switch off.
['Wondering what the deep structure and surface structure of this sentence could be in nursery rhyme terms' e]
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 9,944 Likes: 3 |
I know what you are saying.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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