Things that make us [sic]
Hmmm… It’s National Grammar Day in the States. As one who regularly offends the rules of decent grammar and syntax I should probably keep quiet about this, but I do try to avoid splitting infinitives (and put commas in the wrong places). For our pendants, try perfect [or is that prefect? - ed] Bill Walsh’s take on the grammar crimes of the US Presidential election campaign. Blue pencil has some top tips on the Who/Whom dilemma. This guy gets gerund: it’s more than just an -ing word. Pedants of the world, do your worst enjoy. The day is yours!! Meantime, I promise to do my best always to keep a clear line between my its and my it’s. And endeavour never to put my infinites asunder.
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For our pendants
Pedants, shirley ? (this is great fun)
And never use a conjunction to start a sentence or use a preposition to end the sentence with.
I hear George Bush was complaining that Grammar Day is so goddam close to Mother’s Day.
I thought the Americans had grammer instead of grammar – maybe they just misspell it more often.
I can be as pedantic as anyone, but I reserve the right to recklessly split my infinitives.
Much more fun to split your infinitives recklessly.
The complete liberal trashing of our educational systems leaves most US college graduates barely able to read or wright…..Understand, the prez campaign stuff has been proofread by only the very best Ivy League staffers.
Grammar? Please…. Like, you know, please. Duh…
I am sorry but the definitive words on the split infinitive have already been uttered by Henry Fowler in “Fowler’s: A Dictionary of Modern English Usage.
I will quote on the split infinitive: “The English-speaking world may be divided into (1) those who neither know nor care what a split infinitive is; (2) those who do not know, but care very much; (3) those who know and condemn; (4) those who know and approve; and (5) those who know and distinguish.”
I recommend Fowler wholeheartedly; it is actually a very useful book. Okay I should get out more, I know.
“Meantime, I promise to do my best always to keep a clear line between my its and my it’s.”
Or when in doubt pretend to be Frank McCourt. ‘Tis what I do.
Still think it should be “Northern Ireland: Politics and Cultures” Only four things you need to write proper are “”. and -.
Much more fun to recklessly split your infinitives.