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#21086 03/04/01 11:20 PM
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des Offline OP
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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!



#21087 03/04/01 11:54 PM
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My dictionary says "lit" is an alternative for "lighted". I don't see any important choice between them.


#21088 03/05/01 09:07 AM
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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"



#21089 03/05/01 10:00 AM
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My preference for "lit" is entirely phonological. It is sharp and immediate, much like turning lights on with a switch or striking a match.



#21090 03/05/01 01:58 PM
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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


#21091 03/05/01 02:52 PM
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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.



#21092 03/05/01 03:02 PM
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Dear RC: Indeed the Mid-Alantic rift is rift enough between us.


#21093 03/05/01 03:18 PM
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But it would be as nothing if I weren't frit of flying!



#21094 03/05/01 04:04 PM
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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]


#21095 03/05/01 04:18 PM
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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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