Bearman Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Naga Muchetti the newsreader was on Countdown today. She said both her and Bill Turnbull were intolerant of shoddy grammar. On of her pet hates is the use of "are" for "is". She quoted some of the sports journalists that say something like " Manchester United are playing Liverpool tonight" I must admit that is what I would have said. It seems the correct statement would be "Manchester United is playing Liverpool tonight" I can see that as Manchester United is a singular then it should be "is" but it feels wrong. A bit like the use "an for "a" when the following words begins with an " H" An hotel or an hospital. It's a funny old language. Has anyone any other pet hates or examples of shoddy grammar? Ron Banks Midlands Hurricanes and Barrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattSantos Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Language is an ever evolving beast. Regarding the is v. are debate, i've noticed that American commentators will say 'is', maybe because they see the team as a club, a singular franchise. Do we see a club as a collection of intangible things, therefore say 'are'? For example, UK folk often say we are going to win the league etc etc Running the Rob Burrow marathon to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie foundation: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-dyas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Rhino Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 There, their and they're 2014 Challenged Cup Winner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Frightful Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 We often seem to discuss this but never mind, always good for an airing. Before hindlexiii jumps in, Putting "of" instead of "have" when following could, should or would. Oh, and Wiltshire Rhino's example always irks me, no excuse as far as I'm concerned. Hull FC....The Sons of God... (Well, we are about to be crucified on Good Friday) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolford6 Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I think "is" or "are" is acceptable in the Manchester United example. The club (single entity) isn't actually playing the game; its players (multiple individuals) are. Under Scrutiny by the Right-On Thought Police Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnM Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 According to Wikipedia, Naga Munchetty studied English literature and language at Leeds University. Sort of two steps forward and one step backwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolford6 Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Actually, I think I'd disagree with most things she said, on impulse. I can't do with her. I sometimes think "Is she interviewing this person, or just talking down to him/her?" Under Scrutiny by the Right-On Thought Police Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckn Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Spelling can be very important, get it wrong and the police can get involved. "When in deadly danger, when beset by doubt; run in little circles, wave your arms and shout" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerjon Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I think "is" or "are" is acceptable in the Manchester United example. The club (single entity) isn't actually playing the game; its players (multiple individuals) are. I think that's right. But you tend to hear in British commentary "United are ..." and in American commentary "United is ..." But then when they refer to the nickname, which is usually plural, you get "the Panthers are" and so on. Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyXIII Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I've always taught my students that, for a word like "team", you can choose to consider it as either singular or plural and use "is" or "are" appropriately, as you wish. The other 'odd' word that springs to mind in this context is "police". Although it looks singular, it is almost always plural for grammar purposes. However, careers advisor to student: "The police is a definite career possibility for you." Rethymno Rugby League Appreciation Society Founder (and, so far, only) member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Spelling can be very important, get it wrong and the police can get involved. To be pedantic, that's not a spelling mistake. It's a misunderstanding of words. It's similar to why I wondered as a child why Catholics and Prostitutes didn't get on in Northern Ireland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Evans Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 "I was helping my uncle Jack off a horse". Capitalisation is very important. It's annoying when used incorrectly. However, on Internet fora and social media, pedantics regarding grammar do come across as more than a little trite. "I love our club, absolutely love it". (Overton, M 2007) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindle xiii Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 We often seem to discuss this but never mind, always good for an airing. Before hindlexiii jumps in, Putting "of" instead of "have" when following could, should or would. Oh, and Wiltshire Rhino's example always irks me, no excuse as far as I'm concerned. What makes you think I would of said something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longboard Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 What makes you think I would of said something? What makes you think I would of said something? You should of. I aren't. To and too. Prostrate gland. That one floors me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpmc Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I usually put there for there & for their but i try not to do it for they're. I always put were for were & were for where but not for wear. Your & you're sometimes screw with my brain. I hate you when you write as for has. I hate you when you write of for have And i wish you a slow painful death when you write been for being Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenilworth Tiger Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 In the last day I have encountered 2 people who say Pacific instead of specific - I did very, very well not to jump in and correct them. Oh and anybody who says "off of" Oh and as a side note Naga Munchetti Now then, it's a race between Sandie....and Fairburn....and the little man is in........yeees he's in. I, just like those Castleford supporters felt that the ball should have gone to David Plange but he put the bit betwen his teeth...and it was a try Kevin Ward - best player I have ever seen The real Mick Gledhill is what you see on here, a Bradford fan ........, but deep down knows that Bradford are just not good enough to challenge the likes of Leeds & St Helens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Evans Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 It's discusting!!!!! "I love our club, absolutely love it". (Overton, M 2007) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnM Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 not grammar, really, but this: " How are you?" " I'm good, thank you" "No, I was enquiring after your health, not your moral standing, you stupid, ignorant, irritating oaf!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WearyRhino Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 In the last day I have encountered 2 people who say Pacific instead of specific - I did very, very well not to jump in and correct them. Oh and anybody who says "off of" Oh and as a side note Naga Munchetti I cannot abide people who replace '-ing' with '-ink' - as in 'somethink', 'nothink'. On a similar not, and what seems to be a peculiarly Mancunian trait, the use of the words 'bockle' for bottle and 'hospical' for hospital. All these should be capital offences. Oh and I agree with you about Naga Munchetty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 In the last day I have encountered 2 people who say Pacific instead of specific - I did very, very well not to jump in and correct them. Oh and anybody who says "off of" Oh and as a side note Naga Munchetti You can add to that circle hell those people who say "Pronounciation" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 People who type defiantly when they mean definitely "Freedom without socialism is privilege and injustice, socialism without freedom is slavery and brutality" - Mikhail Bakunin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Evans Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 I cannot abide people who replace '-ing' with '-ink' - as in 'somethink', 'nothink'. On a similar not, and what seems to be a peculiarly Mancunian trait, the use of the words 'bockle' for bottle and 'hospical' for hospital. All these should be capital offences. Oh and I agree with you about Naga Munchetty. No. ... not exclusive to Mancs....Being detained under section free of the menckle elf act nineteen eighty free at Saint Cafferine's hospickle is not necessarily isolated to greater Manchester "I love our club, absolutely love it". (Overton, M 2007) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WearyRhino Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 No. ... not exclusive to Mancs.... Being detained under section free of the menckle elf act nineteen eighty free at Saint Cafferine's hospickle is not necessarily isolated to greater Manchester Must be just a personal prejudice of mine. Incidentally, I have also noticed a higher propensity for the 'ff' or 'v' sound for 'the' in East Yorkshire. And I don't know where Saint Cafferine's is, I was in Boovam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Evans Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Aye.... it isn't like that here in Rovrum "I love our club, absolutely love it". (Overton, M 2007) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Frightful Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 You can add to that circle hell those people who say "Pronounciation" How else would you pronunce it? Hull FC....The Sons of God... (Well, we are about to be crucified on Good Friday) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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