Re: software name?

Clive — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:50:05 GMT

Hi,

1. How do you decide on how to put English articles in front of (software game??) names like Playstation 3? Do you have to make a decision as to whether it is used as a software or used a game first? Maybe, the rule is if used as a game, put the article in; whereas, if it is used as a sacred name of a particular type of software that is being enjoyed by youngster all over the world? Can you make some sort of connection to the rules that apply to some proper names?

as fun as the Playstation 3

I think that Playstation 3 is actually a piece of equipment that you buy with some software already installed. Isn't that true? So, it's a thing.

If I am speaking generally of the product, I would say 'Sony had great success last year with Playstation 3'. But if I am speaking individually, I'd say 'Today I bought a Playstation 3 for my son'.

Please note also that software is not a countable noun. You say things like 'I bought some software'. If you want to talk about some particular kind of software, you would typically say something like 'I bought a piece of software' or 'I bought a software package'.

2. When you have a possessive placed in front of a noun, does that 'possessiveness' overrides all determiners including determiners for superatives?

She is Korea's most beautiful woman.

Normally, you would write like this if the underlined possessive is not used:

She is the most beatitul woman in Korea.

So, an argument can be made that these sorts of possessives can override all determiners. Can it? I think so, although I don't like to make very general statements. I don't see it as just related to superlatives. eg

Seoul is the capital of South Korea. Seoul is South Korea's capital.

Best wishes, Clive

software name?

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 23:47:55 GMT

Hi,