A Vocabulary & Word Usage Classroom?

Do you want Henry to help us become better users of our own language?

  • Yes, I want Henry to make me a better user of the English language

  • No, I want to remain at my lower level of education or my redneck friends will make fun of me

Results are only viewable after voting.
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #41
gman2431 said:
1 tyme us went two @woodintyuuu cabin in da woodz 2 cut a cupla burlz Nick named 109.89I and 202.7.

It was after that intimate moment of cutting burls and watching grown mens faces light up like a kid on Xmas I realized grammar is for the birds.
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:rofl:

Who can argue with that.

:treehugger:
 
:scare3:english leesons god help 68.5 % of the members here. wees hillbillys were done with schoolin after the 5th grade. isa got my ged ( good enough deploma):deal: and now im a geenus:good:
 
duncsuss said:
Henry, I understand that I can have an affect (in its noun-fulness), but I don't believe I can "have an affect on somebody/something".
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It is possible to both affect and effect someone/something, just as it is possible for both to be nouns.

As a verb, affect means to influence, whereas effect means to bring about or accomplish.
To step into Doc's world, here are exampls of each:
The prescribed medicine effects the patient's blood pressure by lowering it.
Petting your dog positively affects your blood pressure.

As a noun, affect generally describes a facial expression, whereas effect means the result.

Affect is, most commonly, used as a verb. Effect is used, most commonly, as a noun.
 
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duncsuss said:
Henry, I understand that I can have an affect (in its noun-fulness), but I don't believe I can "have an affect on somebody/something".
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Finally in front of a real computer rather than a phone and able to re-read both Kevin's original note and yours more completely, I now see that I misinterpreted your correction (and "misremembered" his sentence). We are, in fact, saying the same thing. It affected him, and it had an effect on him.

I had mistakenly recalled that he was using it as a verb in making my original comment, in which case either is possible, though affect would be more common.
 
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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #49
I just was listening to Otis Redding while I was turning and this thread popped into my head and I came up with this even before I got to the computer. You wordsmiths tear this up I think I got most of it correct:


I looked in the mirror of my past and reflected upon the affect my reflection could have on me; once my reflections about my reflection was (were?) complete, I worried how the unexpected emotions would affect my intentions to effect a change in my karma. I gathered my effects and headed for San Francisco to find out where Otis Redding had sat to write that wonderful song, upon which I have reflected so many times. I realize he probably didn't (hadn't?) pen the lyrics, but even if he didn't it still has the same affect on me every time I hear it. Especially the whistling part.

 
When I've listened to Otis (twice, because it's worth at least 5 minutes of my time) I'll check back ...
 
Were.

And please eliminate the "had" before the "sat"... it is negatively affecting me, and is likely to have much more effect on your karma than your emotions.
 
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Kevin said:
I looked in the mirror of my past and reflected upon the affect my reflection could have on me
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Either: I looked in the mirror of my past and reflected upon the effect my reflection could have on me
or: I looked in the mirror of my past and reflected upon how my reflection could have affected me

once my reflections about my reflection was (were?) complete
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The subject is "my reflections", therefore "were" is correct. (What your reflections were about doesn't dictate the use of singular or plural in the verb.)

I worried how the unexpected emotions would affect my intentions to effect a change in my karma.
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Perfect.

I realize he probably didn't (hadn't?) pen the lyrics
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Either he probably didn't pen the lyrics or he probably hadn't penned the lyrics is fine.

... but even if he didn't it still has the same affect on me every time I hear it.
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This one should be "effect".

Especially the whistling part.
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Me too :drinks:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #53
English sucks. I should have stuck with Japanese I was much better at it.
 
Kevin said:
English sucks. I should have stuck with Japanese I was much better at it.
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Few schools taught English grammar as a subject when I was of that age. I think I learned most of it as a by-product of learning French -- and even the small amount of Latin they force fed me. It taught me how to make subject and verb agree (it was/they were), how to distinguish subject from object (handy for who/whom) and when it's better to simply say something else (or nothing) rather than struggle to find the correct way to phrase something. :rofl:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #55
duncsuss said:
and when it's better to simply say something else (or nothing) rather than struggle to find the correct way to phrase something.
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That's where I've always made my fewest mistakes, and had my better moments. Keeping my pie hole zipped.
 
I think the one that fits me best is something like, "Why remain silent and be thought a fool when I can open my mouse and remove all doubt."
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #59
justallan said:
I've never heard that saying in my life. That is simply friggin' hilarious!
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:lol:

@DKMD I don't think he's noticed it yet. :sarcastic: Allan, Doc wasn't sharing a maxim with us . . . he was commenting on your previous post, although I must agree his comment could certainly be used as good advice around here.

(I probably should have just kept my mouse shut)
 
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