[title]Family quotes[/title] [description]Welcome to our family quotes section! Here you'll find some of the funniest (and wisest) quotes on the subject of family life![/description]
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Anonymous, 1 yr 4 days ago
Do Americans use "we've to..." or  "they've to"? How about "they'd to..."?
Mister Micawber  +  591034 Sat, 22 Nov 08 11:17 PM
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 Not I, Molly.
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Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004
Yokohama
Veteran Member 30,841
'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
MrPedantic  +  591187 Sun, 23 Nov 08 01:34 AM

Anonymous
MrPedantic

I wouldn't say "boss".

MrP

This was the question, MrP.

<<Does your variety of English permit contraction here?>>

Sorry, old chap.

But no, I wouldn't permit contraction before a superordinate either.

MrP

Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004
Veteran Member 12,592
...opella forensis / adducit febris...
Anonymous, 1 yr 3 days ago
<<But no, I wouldn't permit contraction before a superordinate either.>>

Did you mean to say "But no, I wouldn't permit myself contraction before a superordinate either."?
Kooyeen  +  593385 Mon, 24 Nov 08 08:56 PM
On second thought, I think I once read somewhere that "I've" is used that way in the UK sometimes, maybe for possession. But since I am not sure, it might be very rare,I have never actually "heard" it, and I have probably just "read" about it... I have no way to tell whether that "I've" should be considered as a monosyllabic contraction or a bisyllabic one in the examples you are giving.

In the US, monosyllabic "I've" in sentences like "I've to go there" is just not used, in my opinion. As for other dialects... in the UK, Australia, etc... I don't know. I remember reading that unless "have" is used as an auxiliary verb, it is not reduced in British English, but then I realized they were probably just talking about some variety to teach and not in general, probably some kind of RP. I am always amazed at the number of regional differences in the UK. I believe the only way a student would be able to have a good understanding of BrE is just by listening to lots of English from the major dialects, because if you just rely on teaching materials you are only going to learn about ONE dialect, and maybe not even a common one. I once took a quick look at a book about BrE pronunciation (English Pronunciation in Use, I guess... ) and of course they didn't mention glottal stops, as far as I can remember. So, yeah, you get the idea. What a pity... I love glottal stops! LOL
Joined on Thu, Dec 22 2005
Italy
Senior Member 4,985
Parental Advisory / Explicit Posts
MrPedantic  +  593500 Mon, 24 Nov 08 10:57 PM

Anonymous


Did you mean to say "But no, I wouldn't permit myself contraction before a superordinate either."?

No, not at all. 

Kooyeen
“I believe the only way a student would be able to have a good understanding of BrE is just by listening to lots of English from the major dialects”

Misunderstanding one another constantly suits the natives. I don't see why it shouldn't suit a non-native just as well.

MrP

Anonymous, 1 yr 2 days ago
MrPedantic

Anonymous


Did you mean to say "But no, I wouldn't permit myself contraction before a superordinate either."?

No, not at all. 

MrP



??!! Then who would you not permit it of?
Mister Micawber  +  593521 Mon, 24 Nov 08 11:41 PM
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I know he'd kick my butt if I tried it!
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MrPedantic  +  593523 Mon, 24 Nov 08 11:44 PM

??!! Then who would you not permit it of?

 

"Ah! Answering that question

Brings the priest and the linguist

Running in long coats

From across the forum."

MrP

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