Crazy English.:.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Amnell

"Who here is a grammar nerd?"
*raises hand sheepishly*

I gotta rap on this "there's vs there're" issue again, I'm afraid n_n;;; .

Even though English is pretty slim on verb conjugation as far as Indo-European languages go, we DO have rules for conjugating verbs. "Be" (to be) does conjugate. It goes to "are" for second person aspect and also for plural number. It goes to "is" for third person aspect and also singular number. Then, it goes to "am" for first person aspect with singular number. Verbs agree with the subject that they modify, hence talking about "loads of people", a plural subject, requires that the verb "to be"* be conjugated to "are" because of the plural number.

So, when you use the existential phrase "there [to be]" in the case of "loads of people", you would say "there are." Since we English speakers love contractions, the grammatically correct word is "there're," not "there's".

For those reasons, I can't accept it when people say "there's" with a plural subject, even in colloquial speech. It doesn't seem lazy to me, actually. To me, and I mean no offense to anybody, it seems ignorant and apathetic.

*This is for those who are starting out learning English:

"To be" is roughly equivelant (sp?) to "desu" (or "estar/ser" if you've studied Spanish at all). But, "there [to be]" is more equivelant to the "aru/iru" verbs. To me, saying "there's" for a plural subject would be like a gaijin using "irimasu" for something inanimate (like a coin or a bowl).

"There's trees" approximates to "Neko ga arimasu" in grammatical correctness.

Great points. Hand held up high! I may not be perfect at English grammar, but I try.

Grammar nerd question:

I often hyphenate adjectives before a noun if they are two words, but I know some people don't like that. For example: I like "rose-colored glasses" over "rose colored glasses" or "smoke-filled room" over "smoke filled room". Any opinions?

[Amnell]

Originally Posted by kuronekoaus

And Amnell: I like you very, very much xD

^_^

[kuronekoaus]

Originally Posted by MMM

Grammar nerd question:

I often hyphenate adjectives before a noun if they are two words, but I know some people don't like that. For example: I like "rose-colored glasses" over "rose colored glasses" or "smoke-filled room" over "smoke filled room". Any opinions?

I'd say your way is correct. Otherwise they'd be two separate words.

Some people don't like it 'cause they're stupid lol /jk.

Another question: does any [other] grammar nazi hate netspeak? I use it quite a bit, mainly because it'd look weird to have 'HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA' all over my posts...

[MMM]

Originally Posted by kuronekoaus

I'd say your way is correct. Otherwise they'd be two separate words.

Some people don't like it 'cause they're stupid lol /jk.

Another question: does any [other] grammar nazi hate netspeak? I use it quite a bit, mainly because it'd look weird to have 'HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA' all over my posts...

Thanks!

Personally I prefer "HA HA HA HA HA" over "lol". I don't "hate" netspeak, as it serves a purpose, and it is sort of its own language, but I don't like to see it sneak into places it doesn't belong... (ahem)... like a forum post like this. In chats and text messages I understand, but it isn't necessary on a forum.

[Amnell]

For using hyphens between adjectives and nouns... I do both. It kinda depends on what feel I'm going for (on top of being a grammar nerd, I'm also an amateur prose writer) and what it is I'm talking about. I'll usually hyphenate such phrases to speed up the read, like in an action scene, then don't hyphenate to slow things down (by forcing the reader to treat them as two words) in anything that should move slow--bullet-time and emotional reactions, for example.

Netspeak... I don't really have a problem with it, within the bounds of English grammar. Ex: I have no problem with "lol"; I actually treat it as an interjection (just like if you laughed in real life before saying something). I DO take issue with "u/ur", though, 'cause that's just lazy.

On that note, 1337-sp34k has its place, too.

[kuronekoaus]

Originally Posted by Amnell

On that note, 1337-sp34k has its place, too.

Its place in the bin?

[Amnell]

Lol, mostly. Though, I do use it from time to time in during OOC in RP threads and on Counter-Strike and AIM.

lawlz, u R t3h nu8!!!11!onenoe pwn7 4-3v4h

^_^;;;

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Amnell

Lol, mostly. Though, I do use it from time to time in during OOC in RP threads and on Counter-Strike and AIM.

lawlz, u R t3h nu8!!!11!onenoe pwn7 4-3v4h

^_^;;;

I have almost no idea what that last sentence said

"Laughing. You are the ??? ?? ?????? owned ?-???"

Am I even close?

[Katchan6]

lol, u r the noob!!! ??? owns onenoe owns forever

is how i read it

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Katchan6

lol, u r the noob!!! ??? owns onenoe owns forever

is how i read it

Can I get a translation of your translation?