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Originally Posted by bookman156
Of course, I wouldn't follow that recommendation, but nonetheless it's what Godfrey Howard in The Macmillan Good English Handbook recommends. Most of his other recommendations are pretty good though.
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Okay, fair 'nuff. I'm sure Howard meant well. (LOL) As a former debater, dammit, I am unwilling to give up my "begs..."
Quote:
Originally Posted by bookman156
That presumably is a mix-up with 'beggars belief'. Can't say as I've seen it used much.
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YES and to me, it
beggars belief that it's been conflated, merged and mooshed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bookman156
I bet you won't be guilty of it any more. I had this one pointed out to me by the Chief Sub-editor of The Sun and I've never got it wrong since.
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You know the one that still stings me, to this day? Penultimate. I was called out on that, more years ago than I'd like to admit to, and sure 'nuff, I have to bite my tongue not to say something to folks today when they use it to me "most ultimate" (and
don't say it! No modifiers, I know. I mean, that's wrong in two ways...)
Quote:
Originally Posted by bookman156
Another favourite is the difference between 'the past ten years' and 'the last ten years'. This was pointed out to me by the managing editor of another newspaper when I got it wrong, who drew a timeline of ten years on a scrap of paper and then a doodle of a nuclear explosion. 'That's the last ten years,' she said.
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YES that's one of my faves, too. Oh, damn there was something that was buzzing 'round in my noggin the other day...that's been irking me lately with newscasters. Hmph. It will come to me.
Hitch