Ousted NJ 'Idol' singer: too trustful
W. K. Mahler, Mahlers.com
POINT PLEASANT, N.J. - Be careful who you trust. That's the advice from
Antonella Barba, New Jersey's "American Idol" contestant, a day after being
voted off the show following two weeks of turbulence over racy photos posted
on the Internet.
"These were photos of my personal life that got exploited without my
consent," she said during a conference call Friday with reporters from
across the country. "I've learned to be careful who you trust."
Barba was the subject of rampant Internet gossip regarding the photos.
Publicists for the top-rated Fox show cut off reporters' questions about the
pictures during the conference call.
She did say, though, that the situation was distracting as she tried to
prepare herself to sing during the past two weeks.
"It was difficult," she said. "It wasn't how I intended things to go. I
tried to block it out as much as possible. I'm here to sing. All that other
stuff was completely irrelevant."
She said she heeded advice from her vocal coach to view the nervousness in
her stomach as adrenaline that could power her performance. And, right
before she went onto the stage, she said a little prayer.
Barba, 20, attended Roman Catholic grammar school in neighboring Point
Pleasant Beach, and went to a Catholic high school in nearby Red Bank before
enrolling in Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where she studied
architecture.
She withdrew earlier this year to focus on the "Idol" competition, and has
no plans to go back anytime soon.
"Right now, I'm going to stay in L.A. for a week or two," she said. "I want
to see what I can do with this for a career. I want to strike while the iron
is hot."
Barba, who played the violin as a youth and gave lessons to neighborhood
children, said she would consider acting or modeling, but still wants a
career in music above all else.
She said she will reject any prurient career offers that come her way. Nor,
she added, would she pose nude, or in partial clothing, for any reason.
"That is not the way I want to present myself," she said. "I keep getting
told no publicity is bad publicity. Yes, it's true my name is more
well-known because of it. But I'm not known for the things I want to be
known for. I'd rather present myself in a more classy way."
Residents in Point Pleasant, a Jersey shore town of 18,000 about 60 miles
north of Atlantic City, supported Barba when news of the photos threatened
to overshadow her appearances on the show.
Signs sprouted around town wishing her well. By Friday morning, however,
they were gone, replaced with messages advertising youth baseball sign-ups,
and even the imminent arrival of spring.
But Mayor Martin Konkus said Point Pleasant plans to honor its newly famous
resident. A mayoral proclamation is in the works, and Konkus plans to ask
Barba to sing "God Bless America" at the Memorial Day parade. Barba said
she'd be honored to do so.
"We are going to welcome her home with open arms," Konkus said. "She's not a
bad person. She's a good person that probably wishes she had used a little
more discretion. But what you saw was nothing you won't see on a Victoria's
Secret television ad.
"She comes home a little bit older and a lot wiser," Konkus added.
Despite her turbulent time in the national spotlight, Barba has few regrets.
"I'm very thankful for the opportunity I've been given," she said. "All this
embarrassment that has come with it, I still think it was worth it."
--
William K. Mahler, http://www.mahlers.com
Yahoo Instant Messenger ID: mahlerscom
reply: mahlerscom at mahlers dot com
fmomoon
"W. K. Mahler, Mahlers.com" <gos...@yourownemailaddy.com.us> wrote in
message news:4yPIh.794$vV3.270@trndny09...
To her credit, she speaks well. What young person hasn't had to learn
lessons the hard way? She may not currently be a fabulous role model for
teenagers, but it sounds like she has learned a valuable lesson.
--
Moni (fmomoon)
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.
Giggles
"fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:ccCdnSppp-B822nY...@comcast.com...
What lesson did she learn? That acting like a slut, underage drinking and
disrespecting our soldiers deserves rewards? Well then let's have every
high school girl take their tops off and grope each other while holding
class on JFK's grave if this is the lesson she was supposed to learn. Don't
forget the keg of beer!
CleoDM
wrote:
>
>What lesson did she learn? That acting like a slut, underage drinking and
>disrespecting our soldiers deserves rewards? Well then let's have every
>high school girl take their tops off and grope each other while holding
>class on JFK's grave if this is the lesson she was supposed to learn. Don't
>forget the keg of beer!
>
Actually, the soldiers probably wouldn't mind an attractive young
woman coming by and taking off her clothes. That'd no doubt be more
appealing to them than to have the rest of us showing up on Veterans
Day to spout off a bunch of worthless platitudes. How about it, guys,
do you want 'tudes or 'pubes?
Aaron
> On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:14:17 -0500, "Giggles" <laugh...@you.com>
Cleo, you are truly a sage. Let's not get uptight about the venue Anti
(my pet name for her) chose. We've all got SOMEthing we'd like to
hide. Feel sorry for her that she wasn't able to hide it.
And feel glad for us guys, at the same time, that she wasn't able to
hide it. GGW host? Boring! Hold out for that Penthouse or Hustler
centerfold, girl, we know you've got it in you! Or at least we hope
you do!
-Aaron
fmomoon
"Giggles" <laug...@you.com> wrote in message
news:45f4631d$0$5772$4c36...@roadrunner.com...
>> lessons the hard way? She may not currently be a fabulous role model for
>> teenagers, but it sounds like she has learned a valuable lesson.
>> --
>
> What lesson did she learn? That acting like a slut, underage drinking and
> disrespecting our soldiers deserves rewards? Well then let's have every
> high school girl take their tops off and grope each other while holding
> class on JFK's grave if this is the lesson she was supposed to learn.
> Don't forget the keg of beer!
I'd say. I also believe in forgiveness for youthful indiscretion. I
remember being 19. I remember making mistakes. Thank goodness, someone cut
me some slack. I did say that she isn't presently a good role model. I
would hope that she has learned the repercussions of mistakes. Some kids
have to learn them the hard way. I just hope that the primary lesson she
learns is that she should choose another profession other than that as a
singer.
Giggles
Most teenagers don't make those kinds of mistakes. When she has actually
paid for her mistakes, then I'll forgive. Right now all I see is reward.
Bill Gates
I still think she has a purty mouth.
KC
wrote:
Well, other than "more classy" instead of "classier". What is up with
that these days? It makes me crazy.
> What young person hasn't had to learn
>lessons the hard way? She may not currently be a fabulous role model for
>teenagers, but it sounds like she has learned a valuable lesson.
So true, most of us don't learn have to learn our lessons in front of
35 million people. She does seem like a decent enough girl. I think
there's enormous pressure for pretty young women to behave like a
Girls Gone Wild girl these days or else seem like a kill-joy. Back in
the day, you could go a little wild and not worry about picture-proof
of it. You woke up the next day and make a vow never to do that again
and it was over. Damn picture cell phones make sure it is never over.
KC
fmomoon
"KC" <cmk...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:5un9v2lkmjus3qdq4...@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:13:52 -0700, "fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>>To her credit, she speaks well.
>
> Well, other than "more classy" instead of "classier". What is up with
> that these days? It makes me crazy.
I didn't say she paid attention during English classes. :)
>
>> What young person hasn't had to learn
>>lessons the hard way? She may not currently be a fabulous role model for
>>teenagers, but it sounds like she has learned a valuable lesson.
>
> So true, most of us don't learn have to learn our lessons in front of
> 35 million people. She does seem like a decent enough girl. I think
> there's enormous pressure for pretty young women to behave like a
> Girls Gone Wild girl these days or else seem like a kill-joy. Back in
> the day, you could go a little wild and not worry about picture-proof
> of it. You woke up the next day and make a vow never to do that again
> and it was over. Damn picture cell phones make sure it is never over.
>
My most embarassing moments would come when my daughters saw pictures of me
during the 60s. :) "Mom, is *that* you?" Yes, dear, it seemed like a good
idea at the time. :)
--
Moni (fmomoon)
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.
> KC
>
daveparks
<gos...@yourownemailaddy.com.us> wrote:
> By WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press Writer Fri Mar 9, 8:59 PM ET
> POINT PLEASANT, N.J. - Be careful who you trust. That's the advice from
> Antonella Barba, New Jersey's "American Idol" contestant, a day after being
> voted off the show following two weeks of turbulence over racy photos posted
> on the Internet.
> "These were photos of my personal life that got exploited without my
> consent,"
Aaaaand, *you're going to find and hold legally responsible whoever
released the photos*?
Somehow, I've not heard that one yet.
> she said during a conference call Friday with reporters from
> across the country. "I've learned to be careful who you trust."
Aaaaand, *to never again pose for any photos which you don't want made
public*?"
> Barba was the subject of rampant Internet gossip regarding the photos.
> Publicists for the top-rated Fox show cut off reporters' questions about the
> pictures during the conference call.
> She did say, though, that the situation was distracting as she tried to
> prepare herself to sing during the past two weeks.
> "It was difficult," she said. "It wasn't how I intended things to go. I
> tried to block it out as much as possible. I'm here to sing. All that other
> stuff was completely irrelevant."
Incuuuuuding, *the sexed-up clingy micro-mini's and thigh-high go-
go's*?
> She said she heeded advice from her vocal coach to view the nervousness in
> her stomach as adrenaline that could power her performance. And, right
> before she went onto the stage, she said a little prayer.
Aaaasking for, *forgiveness for being so stupid*?
> Barba, 20, attended Roman Catholic grammar school in neighboring Point
> Pleasant Beach, and went to a Catholic high school in nearby Red Bank before
> enrolling in Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where she studied
> architecture.
> She withdrew earlier this year to focus on the "Idol" competition, and has
> no plans to go back anytime soon.
Oh right - like the entertainment industry would welcome an uneducated
performer.
> "Right now, I'm going to stay in L.A. for a week or two," she said. "I want
> to see what I can do with this for a career. I want to strike while the iron
> is hot."
Dorothy Stratten's ghost just threw up.
> Barba, who played the violin as a youth and gave lessons to neighborhood
> children, said she would consider acting or modeling, but still wants a
> career in music above all else.
Sounds like Barba's not yet accepted the likelihood that she 'may'
find a career in music, but it will probably not be in front of a mic.
Tawny Kitaen says, "Eh, it's a livin'."
> She said she will reject any prurient career offers that come her way. Nor,
> she added, would she pose nude, or in partial clothing, for any reason.
> "That is not the way I want to present myself," she said.
Ahem - too late.
> "I keep getting
> told no publicity is bad publicity. Yes, it's true my name is more
> well-known because of it. But I'm not known for the things I want to be
> known for. I'd rather present myself in a more classy way."
I'd bet Monica Lewinski feels the same way.
> Residents in Point Pleasant, a Jersey shore town of 18,000 about 60 miles
> north of Atlantic City, supported Barba when news of the photos threatened
> to overshadow her appearances on the show.
> Signs sprouted around town wishing her well. By Friday morning, however,
> they were gone, replaced with messages advertising youth baseball sign-ups,
> and even the imminent arrival of spring.
> But Mayor Martin Konkus said Point Pleasant plans to honor its newly famous
> resident. A mayoral proclamation is in the works, and Konkus plans to ask
> Barba to sing "God Bless America" at the Memorial Day parade. Barba said
> she'd be honored to do so.
> "We are going to welcome her home with open arms," Konkus said. "She's not a
> bad person. She's a good person that probably wishes she had used a little
> more discretion. But what you saw was nothing you won't see on a Victoria's
> Secret television ad.
And I'm sure Mayor Konkus can't wait to show Antonella the err of her
ways and will take it personally upon himself to make sure poor little
Antonella gets the "support" he feels she needs; starting with that
"mayoral proclamation".
> "She comes home a little bit older and a lot wiser," Konkus added.
> Despite her turbulent time in the national spotlight, Barba has few regrets.
> "I'm very thankful for the opportunity I've been given," she said. "All this
> embarrassment that has come with it, I still think it was worth it."
And there ya' go - you just keep saying that to yourself when the
photographer asks, "Come on Anti' spread'em just a little wider."
> --
> William K. Mahler,http://www.mahlers.com
star...@yahoo.com
Now she might well be making quite a bit of dough off of this.
Sorry, they should've tossed her sorry ass when they found out about
the pix, no matter who put them there.
Mike
KC
>On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 22:55:22 -0700, "fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net>
>wrote:
>
>>> Well, other than "more classy" instead of "classier". What is up with
>>> that these days? It makes me crazy.
>>
>>I didn't say she paid attention during English classes. :)
>
>Apparently you are the one who did not pay attention in English class
>Moni. "More classy" is perfectly acceptable English.
>
>Ryan
She should have said "classier." There's no reason to add "more" in
front of an adjective that ends in "y" when there's already a
comparative adjective for it, namely "classier."
From Wikipedia:
Adjectives with two syllables tend to vary. Some take either form, and
the situation determines the usage. For example, one will see commoner
and more common, depending on which sounds better in the context.
Two-syllable adjectives that end in the sound [i], most often spelled
with y, generally take -er/-est, e.g., pretty : prettier : prettiest.
Also,
http://www.isba.org/association/nov05bn/37.htm
Q:How can you decide when to add -est to an adjective instead of most?
In an editorial I saw the expression “the loyalest supporter.” Should
that be “the most loyal supporter”?
A:Yes, according to idiomatic English. However, if the journalist
wanted to call attention to his peculiar usage, he might have
abandoned idiom for that purpose. That’s what Lewis Carroll’s Alice
did, when she used the comparative form “curiouser and curiouser.”
In English, most one-syllable adjectives add -est (or st) to create
the superlative: “the greatest, the truest, the best, the worst.”
Adjectives of more than one syllable add most to indicate the
superlative: “the most eager, the most honest, the most passive.”
There are some exceptions, however. Two-syllable adjectives that end
in y change the y to i and add -est (“prettiest, silliest, laziest”).
Adjectives that end in -le can either use the superlative most or add
-st (“humblest, noblest”).
Gertrude Block is Lecturer Emerita at the University of Florida
College of Law. Her book ,”Legal Writing Advice: Questions and
Answers” (William S. Hein & Co., Inc.) was published in December 2004.
Ms. Block is also author of “Effective Legal Writing”, 5th Edition
(Foundation Press), with an accompanying instructor’s manual. She is
co-author of the “Judicial Opinion Writing Manual” (published by the
American Bar Association, 1991). Send questions to the ISBA Bar News –
Language Tips, Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Bar Center,
Springfield, IL 62701, or e-mail her at bl...@law.ufl.edu.
Giggles
"daveparks" <davepa...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1173708105....@8g2000cwh.googlegroups.com...
Ditto!
Locutus
> wrote:
>
>
> Well, other than "more classy" instead of "classier". What is up with
> that these days? It makes me crazy.
>
uh oh, I expect Nathan Sanders to chime in any second, berating you for
being a grammar cop. I am sure he will then follow up with examples of
similar forms of misusage and then lecture you about how the English
language is ever evolving, and because of it's constant misuse it is now
considered proper use.
Nathan Sanders
"Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
"its"
Nathan
--
alt.tv.survivor Certainty Contest: Fiji
http://wso.williams.edu/~nsanders/atscc/index.html
http://wso.williams.edu/~nsanders/atscc/twisted/index.html
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
tino
>now considered proper use.
its
tino
~~~ Big, butt Intimate, Community ~~~
Locutus
"Nathan Sanders" <nathan...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:nathansanders-C88...@free.teranews.com...
> In article <12vbcuo...@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> "KC" <cmk...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>> news:5un9v2lkmjus3qdq4...@4ax.com...
>> > On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:13:52 -0700, "fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> > Well, other than "more classy" instead of "classier". What is up with
>> > that these days? It makes me crazy.
>> >
>>
>> uh oh, I expect Nathan Sanders to chime in any second, berating you for
>> being a grammar cop. I am sure he will then follow up with examples of
>> similar forms of misusage and then lecture you about how the English
>> language is ever evolving, and because of it's constant misuse it is now
>> considered proper use.
>
> "its"
>
> Nathan
>
I see "it's" used all of the time in that context, so I now consider that
proper usage. You've taught me well.
Thanks.
Nathan Sanders
Itoshi <ito...@no.spam.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:00:56 +0000, Ryan <ry...@idol.com> wrote:
>
> >On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:26:31 GMT, KC <cmk...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >
> >>She should have said "classier."
> >
> >Why? "More classy" is perfectly good English. Just because you and
> >others prefer "classier" does not make her expression improper.
>
> Cue our resident linguist to call everyone "uniformed laymen" and say
> that there is no wrong usage :-)
Not quite.
Patterns found in the communal speech of native speakers constitute
"correct usage", and patterns not found in the communal speech of
native speakers constitute "incorrect usage".
Conventionalized rules for formal grammar are a completely different
matter, and given that the context here was a casual interview,
completely irrelevant. I doubt Antonella was given the opportunity to
consult Strunk and White before the reporter recorded her responses.
Jason Wuthrich
news:434-45F5...@storefull-3336.bay.webtv.net...
>>and because of it's constant misuse it is
>>now considered proper use.
>
> its
Time to sing along with Strong Bad!
Ooooooh, if you want it to be possessive
It's just "I-T-S"
But if it's supposed to be a contraction
Then it's "I-T-apostrophe-S"...scallawag
Nathan Sanders
"Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "Nathan Sanders" <nathan...@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:nathansanders-C88...@free.teranews.com...
> > In article <12vbcuo...@corp.supernews.com>,
> > "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> uh oh, I expect Nathan Sanders to chime in any second, berating you for
> >> being a grammar cop. I am sure he will then follow up with examples of
> >> similar forms of misusage and then lecture you about how the English
> >> language is ever evolving, and because of it's constant misuse it is now
> >> considered proper use.
> >
> > "its"
>
> I see "it's" used all of the time in that context, so I now consider that
> proper usage. You've taught me well.
>
> Thanks.
Apparently, I didn't teach you well enough, because you don't seem to
grasp the difference between spelling and grammar.
Hint: one of them is relevant to both spoken (natural) and written
(artificial) uses of language, while the other is only relevant to the
latter. One is learned passively, without effort, through the regular
process of language acquisition every normal human baby undergoes, the
other requires years and years of active study that many humans don't
even have the opportunity to undertake. One is the ordinary method of
everyday communication that has existed for at least 100,000 years,
the other has only been around for a tiny fraction of that time.
Here's your homework reading:
<http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/ling/stories/s40363.htm>
<http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/001843.html>
Mickey
> In article <oncbv2pqlcru17vsl...@4ax.com>,
> Itoshi <ito...@no.spam.com> wrote:
>
>
>>On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:00:56 +0000, Ryan <ry...@idol.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:26:31 GMT, KC <cmk...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>She should have said "classier."
>>>
>>>Why? "More classy" is perfectly good English. Just because you and
>>>others prefer "classier" does not make her expression improper.
>>
>>Cue our resident linguist to call everyone "uniformed laymen" and say
>>that there is no wrong usage :-)
>
>
> Not quite.
>
> Patterns found in the communal speech of native speakers constitute
> "correct usage", and patterns not found in the communal speech of
> native speakers constitute "incorrect usage".
>
> Conventionalized rules for formal grammar are a completely different
> matter, and given that the context here was a casual interview,
> completely irrelevant. I doubt Antonella was given the opportunity to
> consult Strunk and White before the reporter recorded her responses.
>
> Nathan
>
And we can thank our lucky stars that our grammatic horrors will be
subjected to nothing more severe than Nathan's lash. After all, we could
be have been French.
The Other Mickey
fmomoon
> Language Tips, Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Bar Center,
> Springfield, IL 62701, or e-mail her at bl...@law.ufl.edu.
>
--
Moni (fmomoon)
War does not determine who is right,
fmomoon
"Itoshi" <ito...@no.spam.com> wrote in message
news:oncbv2pqlcru17vsl...@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:00:56 +0000, Ryan <ry...@idol.com> wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:26:31 GMT, KC <cmk...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>others prefer "classier" does not make her expression improper.
>
> Cue our resident linguist to call everyone "uniformed laymen" and say
> that there is no wrong usage :-)
Arghhh!!! Noooo!!!
--
Moni (fmomoon)
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.--Bertrand Russell
fmomoon
"Mickey" <mickey_a...@nomorephishsbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:wwlJh.7918$P47...@newssvr22.news.prodigy.net...
> And we can thank our lucky stars that our grammatic horrors will be
> subjected to nothing more severe than Nathan's lash. After all, we could
> be have been French.
>
> The Other Mickey
correctly."
--
Moni (fmomoon)
War does not determine who is right,
Locutus
In your mastery of linguistics, I am suprised you never learned about
sarcasm.....
In case you don't remember, this isn't the first time you corrected my usage
of "it's", old habits die hard.
NjnTx
I know what you mean, Moni! I've tried to forget all the stupid stuff I
did at 19. It makes me shudder. Looking back, I didn't do anything
all that bad, but no way was I ready for my life to be open for public
viewing. It's worse today with the internet and all. I don't know if
she feels rewarded or punished but my guess is that she's learned
a valuable lesson on being discrete and who she can trust.
fmomoon
"zob" <zob@_cox.net> wrote in message
news:jk7cv21i6d33arvb0...@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:32:13 -0700, "fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> |
> |"Mickey" <mickey_a...@nomorephishsbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> |news:wwlJh.7918$P47...@newssvr22.news.prodigy.net...
> |> And we can thank our lucky stars that our grammatic horrors will be
> |> subjected to nothing more severe than Nathan's lash. After all, we
> could
> |> be have been French.
> |>
> |> The Other Mickey
> |LOL "The French don't care what say, actually, as long as it is
> pronounced
> |correctly."
>
> language grammatical rules are much more clear cut and carefully
> followed than in English. Young people have butchered the
> pronunciation for the past 20 years or so, however, with English and
> Arab words and expressions creeping into mainstream French. Nowadays
> many common spoken French words have become so slurred and contracted
> as to be nearly unrecognizable. How do I know? Until recently my
> cousin was a translator at the American Embassy in Paris for many
> years and we've had many, many conversations about the subject. The
> French government is having a fit that the language is becoming so
> watered down.
Realizing that I forgot the word "they" between the "what" and the "say," I
was simply quoting MY FAIR LADY. I don't remember if it was this newsgroup
or not, but I read in a newsgroup that the French actually have a government
agency whose job it is to make sure that no new words enter the French
dictionary or vocabulary. Do you know if that is true?
Tzigaane
> In article <12vbcuo...@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>"KC" <cmk...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>>news:5un9v2lkmjus3qdq4...@4ax.com...
>>
>>>On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:13:52 -0700, "fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>Well, other than "more classy" instead of "classier". What is up with
>>>that these days? It makes me crazy.
>>>
>>
>>uh oh, I expect Nathan Sanders to chime in any second, berating you for
>>being a grammar cop. I am sure he will then follow up with examples of
>>similar forms of misusage and then lecture you about how the English
>>language is ever evolving, and because of it's constant misuse it is now
>>considered proper use.
>
>
> "its"
>
> Nathan
>
<polite golf clap> Bravo, well done, yes, quite.
tzigaane
Locutus
"Tzigaane" <tzig...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:EJpJh.12250$Jl....@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
It is quite funny that he demonstrated my point about him being a grammar
cop. :)
Mickey
> On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:32:13 -0700, "fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> |
> |"Mickey" <mickey_a...@nomorephishsbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> |news:wwlJh.7918$P47...@newssvr22.news.prodigy.net...
> |> And we can thank our lucky stars that our grammatic horrors will be
> |> subjected to nothing more severe than Nathan's lash. After all, we could
> |> be have been French.
> |>
> |> The Other Mickey
> |LOL "The French don't care what say, actually, as long as it is pronounced
> |correctly."
>
> Acutally, the opposite is true. My family is French, and in that
> language grammatical rules are much more clear cut and carefully
> followed than in English. Young people have butchered the
> pronunciation for the past 20 years or so, however, with English and
> Arab words and expressions creeping into mainstream French. Nowadays
> many common spoken French words have become so slurred and contracted
> as to be nearly unrecognizable. How do I know? Until recently my
> cousin was a translator at the American Embassy in Paris for many
> years and we've had many, many conversations about the subject. The
> French government is having a fit that the language is becoming so
> watered down.
So the "academy" no longer has the political juice to "encourage" proper
speech?
Someone kindly copy this message, as I believe zob still has me plonked
from a flame war last year. This is a serious question to which he might
know the answer.
The Other Mickey
Nathan Sanders
"Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "Tzigaane" <tzig...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:EJpJh.12250$Jl....@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> > Nathan Sanders wrote:
> >
> >> In article <12vbcuo...@corp.supernews.com>,
> >> "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>>uh oh, I expect Nathan Sanders to chime in any second, berating you for
> >>>being a grammar cop. I am sure he will then follow up with examples of
> >>>similar forms of misusage and then lecture you about how the English
> >>>language is ever evolving, and because of it's constant misuse it is now
> >>>considered proper use.
> >>
> >> "its"
> >>
> > <polite golf clap> Bravo, well done, yes, quite.
>
> It is quite funny that he demonstrated my point about him being a grammar
> cop. :)
You didn't do your reading!
Clearly, I need to make you write "spelling is not grammar" 100 times
on the blackboard!
Nathan Sanders
"Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> In case you don't remember, this isn't the first time you corrected my usage
> of "it's", old habits die hard.
That could very well be the case, but I can't be expected to keep
track of every geek on Usenet that hides behind the name of a
character from Star Trek, so you'll have to forgive my memory lapse.
You guys all look the same to me.
Perhaps it's the uniforms?
Mickey
> In article <45f605b0$0$38916$3926...@news.isoc.net>,
> "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>In case you don't remember, this isn't the first time you corrected my usage
>>of "it's", old habits die hard.
>
>
> That could very well be the case, but I can't be expected to keep
> track of every geek on Usenet that hides behind the name of a
> character from Star Trek, so you'll have to forgive my memory lapse.
> You guys all look the same to me.
>
> Perhaps it's the uniforms?
>
> Nathan
>
Borgs! You can dress 'em up, but you can't take 'em anywhere.
The Other Mickey
Karrde
I've not been following this thread and have no idea what this is about, but
here ya go Mickey.
Zob, the ball is now in your court.
--
--K
Undisputed 2004 Bragging Rights Champion
daveparks
<mickey_and_ed...@nomorephishsbcglobal.net> wrote:
> zob wrote:
> > On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:32:13 -0700, "fmomoon" <fmom...@comcast.net>
> > wrote:
>
> > |
> > |"Mickey" <mickey_and_ed...@nomorephishsbcglobal.net> wrote in message
That'll teach ya' to get into flame wars 'round these parts, Padnuh.
As far as the French language goes, just wait until all these wannabe-
Euro Americans finish with it. Comprenez-voo?
> The Other Mickey
Nancy2
wrote:
> "tino" <s711o...@webtv.net> wrote in message
It's much easier to substitute "it is" for the apostrophe version - if
"it is" doesn't fit, NO apostrophe. ;-)
I'm always amazed at professional websites filled with a series of
nouns like "sewing supplies, fabrics, pattern's," etc. Why don't
these people think before writing?? How can they possibly think it's
correct to list a bunch of plural nouns and then throw in a free-
radical apostrophe?? Plurals are plurals, people!
N.
Locutus
> In article <45f63809$0$93364$3926...@news.isoc.net>,
> "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> "Tzigaane" <tzig...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>> news:EJpJh.12250$Jl....@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>
>> > Nathan Sanders wrote:
>> >
>> >> In article <12vbcuo...@corp.supernews.com>,
>> >> "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>>uh oh, I expect Nathan Sanders to chime in any second, berating you
>> >>>for
>> >>>being a grammar cop. I am sure he will then follow up with examples of
>> >>>similar forms of misusage and then lecture you about how the English
>> >>>language is ever evolving, and because of it's constant misuse it is
>> >>>now
>> >>>considered proper use.
>> >>
>> >> "its"
>> >>
>> > <polite golf clap> Bravo, well done, yes, quite.
>>
>> It is quite funny that he demonstrated my point about him being a grammar
>> cop. :)
>
> You didn't do your reading!
>
> Clearly, I need to make you write "spelling is not grammar" 100 times
> on the blackboard!
>
> Nathan
>
Fine, let me be more specific.
It's funny that you berate people for being spelling/grammar cops, while
being one yourself.
Locutus
> In article <45f605b0$0$38916$3926...@news.isoc.net>,
> "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> In case you don't remember, this isn't the first time you corrected my
>> usage
>> of "it's", old habits die hard.
>
> That could very well be the case, but I can't be expected to keep
> track of every geek on Usenet that hides behind the name of a
> character from Star Trek, so you'll have to forgive my memory lapse.
> You guys all look the same to me.
>
> Perhaps it's the uniforms?
>
> Nathan
>
Don't you think it's a bit hypocritical to rail against spelling/grammar
flames, yet you have now corrected me twice?
Practice what you preach, asshole.
Locutus
"Karrde" <karrde_s...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:45f66375$1...@x-privat.org...
Can you also post Zob's reply? Because I have him plonked. :)
j/k
KC
wrote:
Plurals, hmmm. I have a sad feeling that if you grabbed someone on
the street and asked them the difference between a plural and a
possessive is, they'd have trouble. I hope it's just me feeling
cynical today. ;-((
I was just discussing this in another ng I'm in, using that exact
example. I'm dying to know what the thinking is, but no one ever
explains that they thought an apostrophe goes there if the word ends
in a vowel, or some such rationale. It seems odd that people would
simply throw one in for kicks, so they must think there is some rule.
I'd just like someone who does it to explain why it looks correct to
them.
KC
Nathan Sanders
"Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> It's funny that you berate people for being spelling/grammar cops, while
> being one yourself.
When did I ever berate someone for being a spelling cop?
(Okay, there was that one time when I called Moni a "spelling natzi",
and told her to go back to Krautland. I'm pretty everyone took it as
the joke it was intended. In the very same post, I made explicit
reference to lightening things up.)
I repeat: spelling and grammar are two completely different things.
Quit confusing them.
Nathan Sanders
"Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Don't you think it's a bit hypocritical to rail against spelling/grammar
> flames, yet you have now corrected me twice?
I've corrected you on many things many times, in part because you
can't seem to learn the difference between spelling and grammar. Read
your homework! How many times must you be told until you get it?
> Practice what you preach, asshole.
And here come the invectives...
There's just no way I can adequately recover from such a retort, so
I'll bow out now. You can respond if you like, Locutus, but it's
obvious that we're at completely different levels, so I won't even try
responding to you (until I forget who you are again). You're just too
good at this!
Tzigaane
I thought he was being ironic. That's why I liked it.
t
Nathan Sanders
KC <cmk...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I was just discussing this in another ng I'm in, using that exact
> example. I'm dying to know what the thinking is, but no one ever
> explains that they thought an apostrophe goes there if the word ends
> in a vowel, or some such rationale. It seems odd that people would
> simply throw one in for kicks, so they must think there is some rule.
> I'd just like someone who does it to explain why it looks correct to
> them.
There are at least three factors that lead to this phenomenon:
One is that some plurals, at some point in time, were taught to be
written with apostrophes:
I love the 80's.
How many A.T.M.'s does this bank have?
I got three A's and 2 B's on my report card.
Over the years, the "official" stance has changed on each of these,
and it's reached a point where you have to ask the editor of the
particular journal or newspaper which one they prefer, because there
is no consistent, standard rule.
The second factor is that not all possessives ending in "s" use an
apostrophe: its, his, hers, theirs, yours. Yes, these are all
pronouns, but they are possessive nonetheless. And "its/it's"
swapping is incredibly common.
Between the two of these, we already see there is an imperfect
mapping. There isn't a single, simple rule, but rather multiple
different rules describing various subpatterns of regularity.
But the most important factor is the fundamental difference between
speech and writing. Spoken language is the natural outcome of how
humans learn language, while spelling is an artificial, and highly
arbitrary, representation of spoken language. We expend very little
conscious effort as babies to learn how to speak, but vastly much more
effort learning how to read and write. There are real, measurable
differences in how our brains respond to and generate verbal language
versus written language. As I've pointed out to Locutus numerous
times lately, grammar and spelling are just different things.
Learning to speak is like learning to walk: all normal human babies
are prewired to be able to learn how to do it automatically, whether
they want to or not, on roughly the same schedule as every other baby,
and once they've learned it, they can't forget, and don't need to
expend much mental effort to use it.
But learning to read and write is learning sets of facts, like
learning history or physics, requiring active mental effort to store
things in long-term memory. Some of the big stuff will stick with you
over the years, but without constant practice, it will decay. Just
compare spelling to history: there are far more spelling rules and
exceptions than there are Presidents in US history. How many people
can name all of the Presidents? And if people have so much trouble
memorizing 40+ names, then there should be no surprise that there are
a lot of problems memorizing *hundreds* of spelling rules, with
*thousands* of exceptions.
Nathan Sanders
Tzigaane <tzig...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Locutus wrote:
>
> > It is quite funny that he demonstrated my point about him being a grammar
> > cop. :)
>
> I thought he was being ironic. That's why I liked it.
I don't think Locutus gets irony. :-)
Mickey
> In article <12vdcfn...@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Don't you think it's a bit hypocritical to rail against spelling/grammar
>>flames, yet you have now corrected me twice?
>
>
> I've corrected you on many things many times, in part because you
> can't seem to learn the difference between spelling and grammar. Read
> your homework! How many times must you be told until you get it?
>
>
>>Practice what you preach, asshole.
>
>
> And here come the invectives...
>
> There's just no way I can adequately recover from such a retort, so
> I'll bow out now. You can respond if you like, Locutus, but it's
> obvious that we're at completely different levels, so I won't even try
> responding to you (until I forget who you are again). You're just too
> good at this!
>
> Nathan
>
You try sarcasm on someone who doesn't understand spelling? I thought I
was the optimist.
The Other Mickey
Locutus
> In article <12vdcbb...@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> It's funny that you berate people for being spelling/grammar cops, while
>> being one yourself.
>
> When did I ever berate someone for being a spelling cop?
>
> (Okay, there was that one time when I called Moni a "spelling natzi",
> and told her to go back to Krautland. I'm pretty everyone took it as
> the joke it was intended. In the very same post, I made explicit
> reference to lightening things up.)
>
> I repeat: spelling and grammar are two completely different things.
> Quit confusing them.
>
So it's OK to be a grammar cop but not a spelling cop? Or is it the other
way around? You are so full of yourself it's disgusting.
You're a hypocritical pompous asshole, and if I ever met you I would take
great pleasure in kicking your ass.
Go suck a cock.
Locutus
>
> so I won't even try
> responding to you (until I forget who you are again).
>
I'm sure you have tried to forget who I am after that last beating you took
from me. I have now exposed you twice for the arrogant SOB that you are. I
can't wait for the third time.
Jason Wuthrich
> In article <BkAJh.9448$PL....@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net>,
> Tzigaane <tzig...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>> Locutus wrote:
>>
>> > It is quite funny that he demonstrated my point about him being a
>> > grammar
>> > cop. :)
>>
>> I thought he was being ironic. That's why I liked it.
>
> I don't think Locutus gets irony. :-)
Another group I frequent can't tell irony from coincidence.
--
Certainty Contests:
American Idol 6--Entries due at 5:00pm EDT today!
http://gswarehouse.fortunecity.com/certainty-idol/
The Apprentice: Los Angeles
http://gswarehouse.fortunecity.com/certainty-appr/
Nathan Sanders
Mickey <mickey_a...@nomorephishsbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Nathan Sanders wrote:
>
> > In article <12vdcfn...@corp.supernews.com>,
> > "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >>Don't you think it's a bit hypocritical to rail against spelling/grammar
> >>flames, yet you have now corrected me twice?
> >
> > I've corrected you on many things many times, in part because you
> > can't seem to learn the difference between spelling and grammar. Read
> > your homework! How many times must you be told until you get it?
> >
> >>Practice what you preach, asshole.
> >
> > And here come the invectives...
> >
> > There's just no way I can adequately recover from such a retort, so
> > I'll bow out now. You can respond if you like, Locutus, but it's
> > obvious that we're at completely different levels, so I won't even try
> > responding to you (until I forget who you are again). You're just too
> > good at this!
>
> You try sarcasm on someone who doesn't understand spelling? I thought I
> was the optimist.
Oh, I'm not expecting *him* to get the sarcasm! The show is for
everyone else. :-)
Nathan Sanders
"Jason Wuthrich" <tjwut...@verizon.netspamtrap> wrote:
> "Nathan Sanders" <nathan...@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:nathansanders-1E7...@free.teranews.com...
> > In article <BkAJh.9448$PL....@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net>,
> > Tzigaane <tzig...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >> Locutus wrote:
> >>
> >> > It is quite funny that he demonstrated my point about him being a
> >> > grammar
> >> > cop. :)
> >>
> >> I thought he was being ironic. That's why I liked it.
> >
> > I don't think Locutus gets irony. :-)
>
> Another group I frequent can't tell irony from coincidence.
Isn't it ironic, doncha think?
A little... too ironic.
Nathan Sanders
"fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net> wrote:
> I don't remember if it was this newsgroup
> or not, but I read in a newsgroup that the French actually have a government
> agency whose job it is to make sure that no new words enter the French
> dictionary or vocabulary. Do you know if that is true?
Yes, there is l'Académie Française, who make proclamations about what
constitutes "correct" French and what does not. As far as I know,
they have no official power, however. Lexicographers, publishers, the
government, etc., are all free to ignore them. And of course, they
have no power at all to control how people actual speak.
They're like all your English teachers sitting together at one table,
but more famous and with less power. (Your English teachers could at
least give you bad grades!)
Nathan Sanders
Ryan <ry...@idol.com> wrote:
> One thing is for sure. Given Locutus' degree of hypersensitivity to
> criticism, proclivity to fantasies of violence and homophobia, be
> thankful that your interaction occurs on the internet and not in
> person.
I may be a decade or so past my prime, but I think I can still
outfight a 12-year-old.
Assuming his body matches his brain, of course.
Locutus
ummm.... Nathan is the one who didn't get the original sarcasm.
Locutus
> In article <fbldv2t5gc377vtpd...@4ax.com>,
> Ryan <ry...@idol.com> wrote:
>
>> One thing is for sure. Given Locutus' degree of hypersensitivity to
>> criticism, proclivity to fantasies of violence and homophobia, be
>> thankful that your interaction occurs on the internet and not in
>> person.
>
> I may be a decade or so past my prime, but I think I can still
> outfight a 12-year-old.
>
> Assuming his body matches his brain, of course.
>
> Nathan
>
Really, you live in Indiana right? That isn't too far from me. You want to
put your theory to the test?
Locutus
> In article <fbldv2t5gc377vtpd...@4ax.com>,
> Ryan <ry...@idol.com> wrote:
>
>> One thing is for sure. Given Locutus' degree of hypersensitivity to
>> criticism, proclivity to fantasies of violence and homophobia, be
>> thankful that your interaction occurs on the internet and not in
>> person.
>
> I may be a decade or so past my prime, but I think I can still
> outfight a 12-year-old.
>
> Assuming his body matches his brain, of course.
>
> Nathan
>
Is this you???
http://wso.williams.edu/~nsanders/
:)
Mickey
> In article <0eydnXkbLN2ZuWvY...@comcast.com>,
> "fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
>>I don't remember if it was this newsgroup
>>or not, but I read in a newsgroup that the French actually have a government
>>agency whose job it is to make sure that no new words enter the French
>>dictionary or vocabulary. Do you know if that is true?
>
>
> Yes, there is l'Académie Française, who make proclamations about what
> constitutes "correct" French and what does not. As far as I know,
> they have no official power, however. Lexicographers, publishers, the
> government, etc., are all free to ignore them. And of course, they
> have no power at all to control how people actual speak.
No official power, but they do, or at least used to, set what was
considered the acceptable forms and vocabulary at most of the important
schools in France, in particular the Polytechnique and the Normale
Superiore. At one time one could not rise very far in France, either
politics or businesses, unless one was a graduate of one or these two
schools. Things may very well have changed; my dealings with the French
is now a couple of decades in the past.
The Other Mickey
Nancy2
> In article <cpfdv2p149fo77sarmghemc2gcso0dt...@4ax.com>,
>
> KC <cmk1...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > I was just discussing this in another ng I'm in, using that exact
> > example. I'm dying to know what the thinking is, but no one ever
> > explains that they thought an apostrophe goes there if the word ends
> > in a vowel, or some such rationale. It seems odd that people would
> > simply throw one in for kicks, so they must think there is some rule.
> > I'd just like someone who does it to explain why it looks correct to
> > them.
>
> There are at least three factors that lead to this phenomenon:
>
> One is that some plurals, at some point in time, were taught to be
> written with apostrophes:
>
> I love the 80's.
> How many A.T.M.'s does this bank have?
> I got three A's and 2 B's on my report card.
>
> Over the years, the "official" stance has changed on each of these,
> and it's reached a point where you have to ask the editor of the
> particular journal or newspaper which one they prefer, because there
> is no consistent, standard rule.
I learned to use them in cases like your example above, but I've
retrained myself.
>
> The second factor is that not all possessives ending in "s" use an
> apostrophe: its, his, hers, theirs, yours. Yes, these are all
> pronouns, but they are possessive nonetheless. And "its/it's"
> swapping is incredibly common.
>
> Between the two of these, we already see there is an imperfect
> mapping. There isn't a single, simple rule,
When does the rule of substituting "it is" for "it's" NOT work?
I can't think of a single instance.
N.
Locutus
"Ryan" <ry...@idol.com> wrote in message
news:8r2ev2lf548k24rpt...@4ax.com...
>
>
> Looks like we have another stalker. Last year a number of individuals
> tried to stalk me along with others who gave them encouragement.
>
LOL! Do you remember the whole Mark Probert thing? (I think that was his
name...), and to think, I stuck up for you when you were practically ran out
of this newsgroup.
> It is a good idea to not use your real name in posting to the
> internet.
>
I agree.
> There are a lot of loons like Locutus and lord knows what they will do
> to someone in real life if they get personal information about you.
>
That is true (except for me being one of them).
> Apparently Locutus is a very insecure guy who likes to make threats
> against people who upset his fragile ego.
>
What threats have I made? No one has hurt my "ego", Nathan is an asshole who
thinks everyone is subordinate to him. Check his posting history if you
don't believe me.
> I would report him to his service provider and at least put in on
> record that he is making physical threats as well as stalking.
>
LMAO!!! That's the best yet. I put his name in google and that was one of
the first links that came up, hardly "stalking". You are certainly welcome
to put in a complaint with my service provider though, but considering those
complaints come to me, I don't think it will do you much good. :)
> Scary stuff.
>
You scare easily!
Locutus
"Nancy2" <nancy-...@uiowa.edu> wrote in message
news:1173819010....@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>
> When does the rule of substituting "it is" for "it's" NOT work?
> I can't think of a single instance.
>
Considering "it's" is a contraction for "it is", it would make no logical
sense for there to be a situation where "it's" works and "it is" doesn't.
I'm sure Nathan can back me up on this one.
Though many consider it poor grammar to use contractions...
Locutus
> In article <12vbish...@corp.supernews.com>,>> news:nathansanders-C88...@free.teranews.com...
>> > In article <12vbcuo...@corp.supernews.com>,
>> > "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >> uh oh, I expect Nathan Sanders to chime in any second, berating you
>> >> for
>> >> being a grammar cop. I am sure he will then follow up with examples of
>> >> similar forms of misusage and then lecture you about how the English
>> >> language is ever evolving, and because of it's constant misuse it is
>> >> now
>> >> considered proper use.
>> >
>> > "its"
>>
>> proper usage. You've taught me well.
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> Apparently, I didn't teach you well enough, because you don't seem to
> grasp the difference between spelling and grammar.
>
BTW, are trying to say that the use of "its" vs "it's" is a spelling error
and not a grammar error?
If you google "its vs it's spelling or grammar?" the first 10 responses will
all refer to it as a grammar error....
Nathan Sanders
"Nancy2" <nancy-...@uiowa.edu> wrote:
> On Mar 13, 12:33 pm, Nathan Sanders <nathansand...@aol.com> wrote:
> > In article <cpfdv2p149fo77sarmghemc2gcso0dt...@4ax.com>,
> >
> > KC <cmk1...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > > I was just discussing this in another ng I'm in, using that exact
> > > example. I'm dying to know what the thinking is, but no one ever
> > > explains that they thought an apostrophe goes there if the word ends
> > > in a vowel, or some such rationale. It seems odd that people would
> > > simply throw one in for kicks, so they must think there is some rule.
> > > I'd just like someone who does it to explain why it looks correct to
> > > them.
> >
> > There are at least three factors that lead to this phenomenon:
> >
> > One is that some plurals, at some point in time, were taught to be
> > written with apostrophes:
> >
> > I love the 80's.
> > How many A.T.M.'s does this bank have?
> > I got three A's and 2 B's on my report card.
> >
> > Over the years, the "official" stance has changed on each of these,
> > and it's reached a point where you have to ask the editor of the
> > particular journal or newspaper which one they prefer, because there
> > is no consistent, standard rule.
>
> I learned to use them in cases like your example above, but I've
> retrained myself.
Of course, if there were a One True Correct Way, then there never
would have been a need to retrain yourself. :-)
> > The second factor is that not all possessives ending in "s" use an
> > apostrophe: its, his, hers, theirs, yours. Yes, these are all
> > pronouns, but they are possessive nonetheless. And "its/it's"
> > swapping is incredibly common.
> >
> > Between the two of these, we already see there is an imperfect
> > mapping. There isn't a single, simple rule,
>
> When does the rule of substituting "it is" for "it's" NOT work?
> I can't think of a single instance.
I meant that there is no single, simple rule like "plural = s,
possessive = 's". But for this specific case, it's still not
completely straightforward with a single "it's = it is" replacement,
because there are cases where "it's" and "it is" are not
interchangeable.
When "it is" occurs at the end of a phrase, it cannot be contracted to
"it's":
I don't know what it is, and I don't care. (fine)
I don't know what it's, and I don't care. (not fine)
When "it is" occurs before a gap from ellipsis, it cannot be
contracted to "it's":
It's not allowed in Alaska, but it is in Georgia. (fine)
It's not allowed in Alaska, but it's in Georgia. (not fine)
When "it's" is a contraction for "it has", it can't be replaced by "it
is":
It's been rather snowy this year. (fine)
It is been rather snowy this year. (not fine)
It can also sound a bit stilted to uncontract "it's" to "it is" when
there are multiple unstressed function words (negation, prepositions,
pronouns, auxiliary verbs, etc.) nearby:
I think that it's not in there. (natural)
I think that it is not in there. (stilted)
There are other examples, but these are the clearest, I think.
Vandar
<big snip>
I notice you use two spaces after a period and only one after a comma. A
friend of mine does that. Annoys the hell out me. :)
Anyway...
If someone were to ask "is the sky yellow?", which of the following
answers would be proper:
- It is not
- It's not
- It isn't
Nathan Sanders
Vandar <vand...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Nathan Sanders wrote:
>
> <big snip>
> I notice you use two spaces after a period and only one after a comma. A
> friend of mine does that. Annoys the hell out me. :)
Haha! For me it's a habit from the pre-word-processor days, when two
spaces was taught in typing class. I also almost exclusively use
monospaced fonts for everything (I use LaTeX for document preparation,
and it automatically selects the correct spacing for punctuation), so
the two spaces help make my sentences stand out more.
In most professional typesetting with wide columns (books, etc., as
opposed to newspapers with narrow columns), there is actually more
space after a period than a comma anyway, but it's more like 1.5
spaces rather than a full 2 spaces. Of course, we don't normally have
a way of making 1.5 spaces, so we're stuck either making too much
space (2 spaces) or too little (1 space).
The idea of "space" in professional typesetting is a bit fuzzy anyway,
since most of it is done with justified margins, which means the
interword spacing varies from line to line. What counts as a space in
one line may be the same size as two spaces on the next line.
> Anyway...
> If someone were to ask "is the sky yellow?", which of the following
> answers would be proper:
>
> - It is not
> - It's not
> - It isn't
The last two sound more natural to me, but since all three are in
common use, all three are "proper", at least in speech and casual
writing.
In formal writing, most editors will insist on "it is not", because
they have an aversion to contractions.
Mickey
> "Nancy2" <nancy-...@uiowa.edu> wrote in message
> news:1173819010....@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>
>>When does the rule of substituting "it is" for "it's" NOT work?
>>I can't think of a single instance.
>>
>
>
> Considering "it's" is a contraction for "it is", it would make no logical
> sense for there to be a situation where "it's" works and "it is" doesn't.
> I'm sure Nathan can back me up on this one.
Try this.
Question: Is it real?
Answer: It is.
The Other Mickey
Locutus
Yeah, the contraction doesn't work there, but that is opposite of what Nancy
was inquiring about.
Locutus
> On Tue, 13 Mar 2007 17:16:26 -0400, "Locutus"
> <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>What threats have I made?
>
>
Nice dodge. Nathan is the one who suggested that he could kick my ass, not
the other way around. :)
>>, Nathan is an asshole who
>>thinks everyone is subordinate to him.
>
>
> He did not hurt your ego but you call him an asshole who you believe
> thinks he is superior to everyone. OK. You really sound like a secure
> guy with a strong ego.
>
Some people find entertainment in strange places I guess. I find
entertainment in exposing fakes. Call it a public service.
> I guess we will let supernews.com decide if you are in violation of
> their terms of agreement. Supernews may not take too kindly to your
> physical threats combined with a link suggesting that you knew where
> the person who you were threatening worked/lived.
>
I will let you know if my upstream contacts me, I will assure them that the
perpetrator will be dealt with swiftly and severely! lol...
Now go worry about things that concern you. ;)
Locutus
"Mickey" <mickey_a...@nomorephishsbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:EvGJh.8094$P47....@newssvr22.news.prodigy.net...
Yeah, the contraction doesn't work there, but that is opposite of what Nancy
was inquiring about.
fmomoon
> In article <12vdcbb...@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> It's funny that you berate people for being spelling/grammar cops, while
>> being one yourself.
>
> When did I ever berate someone for being a spelling cop?
>
> (Okay, there was that one time when I called Moni a "spelling natzi",
> and told her to go back to Krautland. I'm pretty everyone took it as
> the joke it was intended. In the very same post, I made explicit
> reference to lightening things up.)
ahem...Nazi...:) Don't worry, Nathan, I have my red pen firmly capped and
out of the line of fire.
--
Moni (fmomoon)
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.--Bertrand Russell
Locutus
> On Tue, 13 Mar 2007 17:16:26 -0400, "Locutus"
> <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>
> And to be perfectly honest I don't recall you sticking up for me at
> all. If you did then please cut and paste your comments.
>
Here is one of my responses to PR:
>
> Mark Probert wrote:
>> Briefly put, if you leave me alone, I will leave you alone. I hope to
>> never hear from you again.
>> Mark Probert
> does this mean 'ryan' will stop post to???!!!!
>Dude!!! This guy isn't Ryan, and you are making yourself look like an ass.
>Please stop, for the sake of everyone.
There were a few others, but it took me awhile to find this one, so this
will have to do. :)
fmomoon
> In article <0eydnXkbLN2ZuWvY...@comcast.com>,
> "fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> I don't remember if it was this newsgroup
>> or not, but I read in a newsgroup that the French actually have a
>> government
>> agency whose job it is to make sure that no new words enter the French
>> dictionary or vocabulary. Do you know if that is true?
>
> Yes, there is l'Académie Française, who make proclamations about what
> constitutes "correct" French and what does not. As far as I know,
> they have no official power, however. Lexicographers, publishers, the
> government, etc., are all free to ignore them. And of course, they
> have no power at all to control how people actual speak.
>
> They're like all your English teachers sitting together at one table,
> but more famous and with less power. (Your English teachers could at
> least give you bad grades!)
>
> Nathan
Yes, we can. My students, however, still don't understand that grades are
earned, not given. :)
fmomoon
"zob" <zob@_cox.net> wrote in message
news:aobev2tr5kr13fatv...@4ax.com...
>
> On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 21:09:38 -0700, "fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
>
> |> |LOL "The French don't care what say, actually, as long as it is
> |> pronounced
> |> |correctly."
>
> <snip>
> |Realizing that I forgot the word "they" between the "what" and the "say,"
> I
> |was simply quoting MY FAIR LADY.
>
> Geez, I should have recognized that! *Hanging head in shame*
>
> Byt he way, why can't a woman be more like a man? ;-)
Because a man is always wrong? <g>
Nathan Sanders
"fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net> wrote:
> Yes, we can. My students, however, still don't understand that grades are
> earned, not given. :)
Most of the time, anyway. ;-)
Nathan Sanders
"fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net> wrote:
> "Nathan Sanders" <nathan...@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:nathansanders-FA0...@free.teranews.com...
> > In article <12vdcbb...@corp.supernews.com>,
> > "Locutus" <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> It's funny that you berate people for being spelling/grammar cops, while
> >> being one yourself.
> >
> > When did I ever berate someone for being a spelling cop?
> >
> > (Okay, there was that one time when I called Moni a "spelling natzi",
> > and told her to go back to Krautland. I'm pretty everyone took it as
> > the joke it was intended. In the very same post, I made explicit
> > reference to lightening things up.)
>
> ahem...Nazi...:)
Sorry, I should have written "spelling natzi [sic]" above, because
that was the precise spelling I used back then (which was intentional,
because I was being all ironical and stuff).
> Don't worry, Nathan, I have my red pen firmly capped and
> out of the line of fire.
I had red ink beaten out of me in my teacher training in grad school.
*Supposedly*, students have a negative association with red ink, and
it made it more difficult for them to accept positive marks written in
red as truly positive, without some underlyingly negative connotations.
I don't really buy into all that touchy-feely "colors control my
emotions" twaddle, but I do now use purple and green pens instead of
red.
Karrde
> On Tue, 13 Mar 2007 02:40:15 -0600, "Karrde"
> <karrde_s...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> |
> |"Mickey" <mickey_a...@nomorephishsbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> |> zob wrote:
> |>
> |>> On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:32:13 -0700, "fmomoon" <fmo...@comcast.net>> |>> |news:wwlJh.7918$P47...@newssvr22.news.prodigy.net...
> |>> |> And we can thank our lucky stars that our grammatic horrors will be
> |>
> |>> subjected to nothing more severe than Nathan's lash. After all, we
> could
> |>> |> be have been French.
> |>> |>
> |>> |> The Other Mickey
> |>> |LOL "The French don't care what say, actually, as long as it is
> |>> pronounced |correctly."
> |>>
> |>> language grammatical rules are much more clear cut and carefully
> |>> followed than in English. Young people have butchered the
> |>> pronunciation for the past 20 years or so, however, with English and
> |>> Arab words and expressions creeping into mainstream French. Nowadays
> |>> many common spoken French words have become so slurred and contracted
> |>> as to be nearly unrecognizable. How do I know? Until recently my
> |>> cousin was a translator at the American Embassy in Paris for many
> |>> years and we've had many, many conversations about the subject. The
> |>> French government is having a fit that the language is becoming so
> |>> watered down.
> |>
> |> So the "academy" no longer has the political juice to "encourage"
> proper
> |> speech?
> |>
> |> Someone kindly copy this message, as I believe zob still has me plonked
> |> from a flame war last year. This is a serious question to which he
> might
> |> know the answer.
> |
> |I've not been following this thread and have no idea what this is about,
> but
> |here ya go Mickey.
> |
> |Zob, the ball is now in your court.
>
>
> The académie français is kind of like British Royalty; it's now
> largely symbolic. As I said in my first post, the influence and
> adaptation of English words ("le weekend" and "les jeans") and the
> unbelievably overwhelming influx of Arab immigrants has morphed the
> French language so that DeGaulle wouldn't recognize a good percentage
> of the words and grammar.
>
> From Wikipedia:
> "The Académie consists of forty members, known as immortels
> (immortals). New members are elected by the members of the Académie
> itself. Académicians hold office for life, but they may be removed for
> misconduct. The body has the task of acting as an official authority
> on the language; it is charged with publishing an official dictionary
> of the language. Its rulings, however, are only advisory; not binding
> on either the public or the government."
> ---
> BTW, I had Locutus killfiled most of last season, but I 'unplonked'
> him this year and so far so good. After all, I figure that anyone
> named after a Borg can't be ALL bad, right? ;-)
>
> Karrde, do you feel like an interpreter? Or maybe a referee? heh.
Can you feel the looooooooove tonight?
And I still have no idea what this thread is about. heheh
--
--K
Undisputed 2004 Bragging Rights Champion
azurespirit
Hmmm....I don't think any huge amount of research is necessary. Personally,
I used to use a variety of metallic gel pens for my second graders. They
LOVED it!
Locutus
>
> I really don't consider what you did as confronting him about stalking
> me. Whether I was who he thought I was is irrelevant. What is relevant
> is his attempt to stalk me by posting why he believed to be my name,
> address and other personal information which is what you did with
> Nathan.
>
Well, I never said I confronted anyone about "stalking" you, I merely said I
stuck up for you when people were saying that you were the same person as
Mark Probert, because it was apparent to me by looking at the post headers
that you were not the same person.
If Nathan doesn't want people to know who he is, he shouldn't be posting
under his real name.
Locutus
> On Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:54:37 -0400, "Locutus"
> <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>If Nathan doesn't want people to know who he is, he shouldn't be posting
>>under his real name.
>
> internet she should not have had them taken.
>
Agreed.
> And if the girl did not want to be raped she should have thought twice
> about getting so drunk.
>
I'm not sure what girl you are referring to, but getting "so drunk"
certainly does increase the risk that bad things might happen to you. I
don't advocate getting drunk for that reason. So I agree with you there
also.
> The bottom line is that you chose to Google his name and to post a
> link to what you thought was his personal information. You obviously
> did that for a reason.
You are correct, and the reason was because I wanted to know if that was who
he was.
> Others can
> decide for themselves.
>
They sure can! However, as many people in here have probably realized by my
posting history over the years, I couldn't give a flying fuck what most
people think. :)
That I don't have the approval of "Ryan" is probably a good thing.
Locutus
> On Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:20:18 -0400, "Locutus"
> <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>> The bottom line is that you chose to Google his name and to post a
>>> link to what you thought was his personal information. You obviously
>>> did that for a reason.
>>
>>You are correct, and the reason was because I wanted to know if that was
>>who
>>he was.
>
> that you wanted to send him a birthday or Christmas card and wanted to
> be sure you got the right guy. Maybe you wanted to call him to have a
> chat.
>
You're a moron... I wanted to know because I was curious if he was really
everything he claimed to be. And simple curiosity.
> How silly of me to think that your motive was nefarious.
>>
>>> Others can
>>> decide for themselves.
>>>
>>
>>They sure can! However, as many people in here have probably realized by
>>my
>>posting history over the years, I couldn't give a flying fuck what most
>>people think. :)
>
> Of course you don't care. This is why you keep responding to my posts
> in an attempt to rationalize your behavior. You just could not give a
> "flying fuck":-)
I'm responding because it's fun! That's why I am here after all. But if you
don't like me, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. :-)
>>
>>That I don't have the approval of "Ryan" is probably a good thing.
>
> I thought you could not give a "flying fuck" what most people think.
> If you think *not* having my approval is a *good* thing you must care
> a bit more than you let on. Or maybe I am one of the few people that
> you do care what I think. Funny how sometimes our words betray us.
>
You've got me!
> I notice that you put my name in quotation marks implying that it may
> not be my real name. Sorry, but I am not interested in getting any
> Christmas cards from you "Locutus":-))
>
If I wanted to find out who you were, I mostly likely would have little
trouble. But don't worry, you're not nearly interesting enough to go through
the trouble.
Locutus
>
>Yes, it looks like you are having a ball. Apparently getting upset and
>calling people "morons" and "assholes" and threatening to kick their
>ass is your idea of having fun.
Who said I was upset, I'm having a blast!
BTW, you still have not shown where I ever stated anything about kicking
someones ass. So not only are you a moron, you are a liar as well. I thought
you railed against people spreading false information and rumors??? Or does
that only apply to AI contestants?
> Little trouble? Sounds like you make a habit out of stalking people.
> Must be "fun" for you.
>
I guess you could say "stalking people (as you call it)" is sometimes part
of my job (why do you think I said any abuse requests would come through
me?). I had no trouble finding another posters information here last season,
down to his real name, home address, phone number, and his DOB and SS# was
within easy access if I wanted them. He was quite surprised when I emailed
the info to him. Of course I would never post that sort of info unless I was
really provoked, but it was quite effective in ending the flamewar, so it
certainly does have its uses.
BTW, doesn't stalking imply that you are following a person around? I think
you are using the wrong term here.
Locutus
BTW, your quote of my post did not mention anything about me kicking
anyone's ass. I was simply responding to someone who said they could kick MY
ass.
Maybe I was curious to find out if he actually could kick my ass?
Locutus
> On Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:12:48 -0400, "Locutus"
> <locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>You're too funny Ryan!
>>
>
>
>>BTW, your quote of my post did not mention anything about me kicking
>>anyone's ass.
>
>><locutu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>You're a hypocritical pompous asshole, and if I ever met you I would take
>>>great pleasure in kicking your ass.
>>>
Oh, that comment. That was more a figure of speech.
Kind of like "If you blah blah, I will kill you!"
Don't take everything so seriously.