Apparently RBS' Stephen Hester and his bonus is 'A important issue' in the minds of the British public. Yes indeed, it is 'A issue' that needs to be addressed!
Gosh - whatever happened to the rule that words that began with a consonant being preceded by 'A' whilst those beginning with a vowel find themselves following 'AN'. Simple stuff isn't it?
Of course we have exceptions, wouldn't be a rule without exceptions, would it? A unit of something or other, A university, an honour and so on. The wonderful combination of consonant and vowel plays a great part in confusing some (all?) sometimes but I recall the words of our English master (Moonbeam) and his exhortations to us that we, Say the words and listen. Does it sound right? If it doesn't, it isn't!)
I was told(by a supposed teacher of English, but having read their letters home I have to say that I very much doubt that this is a true description!) that 'these days' pupils can select what precedes a word on the basis of comfort and regional preference. Then again this person also uses the word 'color' (which is sule a co-lor, so what's a 'lor'?) and other abominations before, and unto the, GOD* and tells me that slowly the two languages (i.e. English and American) are coalescing such that one day we can all have an coffee and donut and it won't be a unique experience!
Looks like I'm becoming a grumpy old fart when it comes to English and though this might indeed be true, I will reman AN old fart and will have CDs (not CD's) and it will not be AN issue!
Aaaargh
If you struggle with apostrophes, have a listen to this (but be careful -it's loud.
*GOD - Greater Oxford Dictionary
7 comments:
What about 'THE' becoming THEE apple, THEE office which seems not to happen these days even on the BBC? 'THEE issue' softens the join between the 2 words. 'THE issue' makes more work for the throat. 'A issue' is simply terrible!!
I am fully behind you. Or is that, I am behind you, fully?
apparently the banks need to incentivise the senior posts to attract the best candidates!
My husband is always correcting my apostrophe gaffs. I had enormous trouble with Uni essays and still get it wrong.I think it's the onset of senile dementia! Spelling gets my goat. I went past a restaurant selling Shepards Pie, and a notice in a local shop that declared "Only blind dogs allowed".
Yep - love the blind dogs only signs and I also 'love' the 'ises' - summarisers being one of my favourites for they are surely commentators as they pass comment on that which is occurring rather than providing a 'summary' (the outlining of the points of something which has occurred). Even then, at the end, the person would be providing a summary of the events.
Still - 'impact upon' is even betterer when it comes to raising hackles.
Pax
Oooooh my favorite obby orse!
How I love the abuse and misuse of our beautiful language.
As for American English. That my dear sir is an or should I say a oxymoron!
There is American and there is English. They should never be confused (as apparently is half the population).
Is this my platform? Oh, sorry, I get a tad carried away on this subject.
I can't let the chance to air another pet hate go by, while I'm here. Namely the awful mispronunciation of the word jewellery.
There are at least a half (or should that be an half dozen BBC and ITV presenters, news-readers and antiques experts who talk about joolery. Grrr!
"Of course we have exceptions, wouldn't be a rule without exceptions, would it?
There is a pronoun missing in this sentence, I believe. And the first comma should be either a full stop (not "period") or a semicolon.
(...just between us pedants ;) )
;
:)
Love it - thanks
V
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