Get Involved... Let Them Know

[DanaC]

*grins*

I agree on the usages you just listed for impact.

The "fewer" versus "less" issue, however, I take slight issue with . "Fewer" is the correct Standard English usage; however, many dialects of English have very low usage of that word and if someone has been raised with "less" as the appropriate word, then I have no problem with that. Standard English is just the dialect that won out as the most desirable and 'correct' version of the language. The dialect of the most powerful (politically and economically) region of England at the point where language was standardised has become the most 'correct' version of English.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by DanaC

*grins*

I agree on the usages you just listed for impact.

The "fewer" versus "less" issue, however, I take slight issue with . "Fewer" is the correct Standard English usage; however, many dialects of English have very low usage of that word and if someone has been raised with "less" as the appropriate word, then I have no problem with that. Standard English is just the dialect that won out as the most desirable and 'correct' version of the language. The dialect of the most powerful (politically and economically) region of England at the point where language was standardised has become the most 'correct' version of English.

Well, I'm not really too fussed about less/fewer, although I do think professional signwriters ought to make the effort. Now, about apostrophe's with plural's ...

I will, however, end a sentence a preposition with. And I am happy to boldly split an infinitive that no-one has split before. These rules were introduced to make English resemble Latin in it's grammatical structure and both cause people like Yoda to talk, hmmmmhmm, and are instruments of snobbery and class warfare.

I reserve the right to pick and choose ... no matter how inconsistent I may seem. So long as I am consistent in my various inconsistencies, I do not see a problem.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Mayhaps, lettering twenty-teen million damn signs would lessen your objecting.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Mayhaps, lettering twenty-teen million damn signs would lessen your objecting.

In sooth, wouldst not such repetitious practice refine their artistry?

It's not like they are cutting corners by leaving something out. They are adding an apostrophe which isn't needed.

Now plural possessives are another thing. There is a sign "Reader's Room" which should be "Readers' Room". A minute error .. but the sign is in the National Library of Australia!

RK, sorry for hijacking your thread!

[glatt]

A sign maker will make the sign the customer requests. Mistakes and all.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Now plural possessives are another thing. There is a sign "Reader's Room" which should be "Readers' Room". A minute error .. but the sign is in the National Library of Australia!

How would one differentiate between a room for a reader, and a room for multiple readers?

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

How would one differentiate between a room for a reader, and a room for multiple readers?

Just as above. As written, it's a room for just one. Must be small. Move the apostrophe to after the S and now you've got them all covered.

Originally Posted by ZenGum

In sooth, wouldst not such repetitious practice refine their artistry?

It's not like they are cutting corners by leaving something out. They are adding an apostrophe which isn't needed.

Now plural possessives are another thing. There is a sign "Reader's Room" which should be "Readers' Room". A minute error .. but the sign is in the National Library of Australia!

RK, sorry for hijacking your thread!

Honestly, as long as someone is reading this one, I'm happy.

[ZenGum]

Just reflecting on the thread drift here, it seems that we are MUCH more concerned with spelling and the correct placement of apostrophes than with the serious issues RK was raising.

Cue link to generation Q thread.