http://www.englishforums.com/English/LinguisticsDiscussionForum/Forum35.htmGet into the nitty-gritty of the language.enXMOD (Build: 3615.39139)http://www.englishforums.com/English/PrescriptiveVsDescriptive/cxgwv/post.htm#612969Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:11:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:612969Anonymous0http://www.englishforums.com/English/PrescriptiveVsDescriptive/cxgwv/post.htm#612969http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments35-612969.xml<Nobody was killed, were they? (is it because 'singular they'?)> http://158.130.17.5/~myl/languagelog/archives/003572.html http://englishbibles.blogspot.com/2006/09/singular-they-in-english-bibles.htmlhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/PrescriptiveVsDescriptive/cxgwv/post.htm#611577Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:11:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:611577Clive1http://www.englishforums.com/English/PrescriptiveVsDescriptive/cxgwv/post.htm#611577http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments35-611577.xmlHi, The data are in now. (split infinitives) There is no split infinitive here. Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/PrescriptiveVsDescriptive/cxgwv/post.htm#611560Mon, 25 May 2009 07:11:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:611560Anonymous2http://www.englishforums.com/English/PrescriptiveVsDescriptive/cxgwv/post.htm#611560http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments35-611560.xmlThe data are in now. (split infinitives)http://www.englishforums.com/English/PrescriptiveVsDescriptive/cxgwv/post.htm#237954Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:11:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:237954Anonymous3http://www.englishforums.com/English/PrescriptiveVsDescriptive/cxgwv/post.htm#237954http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments35-237954.xmlIn the first set of words you see attempts to replace a simple word with a fancy word. The problem is that the meaning of the 'fancy word' is not really the same as the meaning of the word it replaces. For instance, 'existence' refers to the state of being, not the state of being alive. In the case of an individual human being, 'existence' may seem to be largely coterminous with 'life', but to use 'existence' as a fancy way of saying 'life' ignores the big differences between the two words. Similarly for the other words in the list. 'Novel' does not simply mean 'new'; it refers to a quality of being both new and different. 'Capture' does not simply mean 'take'; it refers to the taking of something that is difficult to catch....http://www.englishforums.com/English/PrescriptiveVsDescriptive/cxgwv/post.htmMon, 25 May 2009 07:11:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:237698Evaho884http://www.englishforums.com/English/PrescriptiveVsDescriptive/cxgwv/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments35-237698.xmlThe following 'diction' is wrong according to prescriptive, but why? 'existence' for life 'novel' for new 'capture' for take 'inimical' for hostile 'demise' for death 'phenomental' for extraordinary Also these sentences: Ask whoever you see. He works faster than me. (is it because it should use 'I' instead of me?) I can't imagine it being him. Nobody was killed, were they? (is it because 'singular they'?) These kind of men are dangerous. That's her at the door now. (is 'she' not 'her'?) The data is now in. Thanks very much.