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#50213 12/18/01 11:33 AM
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quotes rather than an exclamation mark to place emphasis on a written word

I hope! you're not suggesting placing "exclamation" marks in the middle! of a sentence!, "stales". "Exclamation" marks at the "ends" of sentences don't let you know! which word is being "emphasized"!


#50214 12/18/01 01:28 PM
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I was only being self critical
no, you did better: you were self-illustrative! What a lustrous post!


#50215 12/18/01 01:38 PM
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A) I gotta go along with the ASp on either rather than each
I completely agree that "you gotta go along with the ASP." You are a wise man there.
now as to the second part of your sentence...

2) Both would not be incorrect if you meant ...
precisely: the choice betwwen the two conveys a subtle difference in meaning.



#50216 12/18/01 05:35 PM
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Two pet peeves come to mind immediately:

Using a sentence with the constructions "neither-or" rather than "either-or" or "neither-nor". I will, though, say that I can't remember either seeing nor hearing "either-nor". That would probably be the very last words I heard before the fatal stroke.

Using I, she, he, etc. in prepositional phrases where me, her, or him is correct. I have been known to call newscasters and "caster"gate them for this unforgiveable lapse.



TEd
#50217 12/18/01 05:56 PM
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Give they hell, TEd!

Edit: They think they're big cheeses, but they're really only small potatoes.
Mere common taters.

#50218 12/18/01 06:16 PM
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Give they hell, TEd!

Ye said it, Keiva!


#50219 12/18/01 11:04 PM
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Boredom.

Repetition is the whetstone of functionality


#50220 12/18/01 11:21 PM
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The following list of peeves, from Gilbert & Sullivan, seems worth the verticality.
For the MIDI file, see http://math.boisestate.edu/GaS/mikado/html/none_be_missed.html

There's the pestilential nuisances who write for autographs--
All people who have flabby hands and irritating laughs--
All children who are up in dates, and floor you with 'em flat--
All persons who in shaking hands, shake hands with you like that--
And all third persons who on spoiling tête-à-têtes insist--
They'd none of 'em be missed--they'd none of 'em be missed! (CHORUS)

There's the banjo serenader, and the others of his race,*
And the piano-organist--I've got him on the list!
And the people who eat peppermint and puff it in your face,
They never would be miss'd--they never would be miss'd!
Then the idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone,
All centuries but this, and every country but his own;
And the lady from the provinces, who dresses like a guy,
And who "doesn't think she dances, but would rather like to try";
And that singular anomaly, the lady novelist--
I don't think she'd be missed--I'm sure she'd not he missed! (CHORUS)

And that Nisi Prius nuisance, who just now is rather rife,
The Judicial humorist--I've got him on the list!
All funny fellows, comic men, and clowns of private life--
They'd none of 'em be missed--they'd none of 'em be missed.
And apologetic statesmen of a compromising kind,
Such as--What d'ye call him--Thing'em-bob, and likewise--Never-mind,
And 'St--'st--'st--and What's-his-name, and also You-know-who--
The task of filling up the blanks I'd rather leave to you.
But it really doesn't matter whom you put upon the list,
For they'd none of 'em be missed--they'd none of 'em be missed! (CHORUS)


--------
*this is the modernized version; the original was "nigger serenader".


#50221 12/18/01 11:52 PM
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Further to: ...quotes rather than an exclamation mark to place emphasis on a written word...

There seems to be a school of signwriting here in WA that espouses this. It's not uncommon to see signs saying "STOP" or "SALE" or Avoid the XMas rush - buy "NOW"

It p***es me off so much that I wonder if I'm turning into just another old cranky guy! Probably

......I remember when I was young......

stales


#50222 12/19/01 02:17 PM
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