Sunday 15 June 2014

An Apology

I have to interupt my account of the Challenge to make an unconditional apology to those of my readers who are fully literate and understand the importance of correct grammar.  I  recently noticed that in an earlier post I had written "it's" rather than "its", when using it as a possesive. I am very ashamed of my actions and am truly contrite. Indeed, I am considering whether I should continue to blog, as it is not entirely clear to me that I am able to maintain the high personal standards which are so dear to me.

As I once read on Twitter, "Good grammar is the difference between knowing your shit and knowing you're shit".

Those of my readers who do not care a fig for the correct use of the apostrophe can ignore this post and get on with their untroubled lives, safe in the knowledge that ignorance can be a happy state. Fortunate indeed are those whose formative years were not scarred by a classical education at a second rate all boys' Grammar School. As Virgil once said "possunt quia posse videntur".

10 comments:

  1. So, this apoplexy thing you are using in words. I assume your sayin' that people's uses it incorrect like init. I fink yous's shood do a blog posting's fing wot is explainin the correct use of grammer an spellin's an such, so'es we can all get betterer at it, an not rights like we is ignorunt an all.
    We'll, thats my o'pinion sir. ����✋

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    1. I am, indeed, working on a guide to the use of the apostrophe, Andrew. I am currently on Volume 3. When it is published I shall ensure you receive a signed copy gratis (that was some more Latin for you). I suspect that the First Edition will become very valuable.

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  2. Be thankful you didn't go to a third rate all boys' Grammar school, that got closed down the year after you graduated !! I have no excuse and have been left with a proficiency in spelling and grammar that requires my wifes regular intervention. Or should that be my wife's ?

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    1. Far be it for me to criticise your grammar, John, but perhaps if you had attended more regularly rather than bunking off to walk the National Trails....

      Yes "wife's" is correct, unless you are a bigamist when it would be wives'.

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  3. John, I do believe David knows all about closing schools down, and thus preventing good grammar being taught :)

    I do recall David that the founder of UKIP spent an evening explaining to the now leader (Nigel) the basis of its and it's - seems Nige did not get it. It's such an interesting thing. Up there with their or there. Or it's such a do over nothing. Either way it's a good point you took time to correct your grammar, as it's most important to ensure standards based on your educational grounding.

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    1. You are right, Martin. I have, indeed, closed a good number of schools down in my time, but only at the behest of my political masters. This never made me popular, of course, apart from with those who felt that they would like to buy an old school in an idyllic village with no children left living there, and convert it into a desirable second home.

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  4. You should of known. I of been to a grandma school as well - a boys' grandma, Ashley. I still dont' unders'tand apostropies or plural's for that matter. And as for latin, well its all greek to me. quoquinque jeceris stabit, as they say on the Isle Have Man

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    1. Get 'off of' the fence Mike and tell me what you really think:-).

      I had to do Greek as well as Latin at school. I can't do the funny letters on my computer but a phonetic translation of the only sentence I can recall is "ho men Thrasumakos paidion esti, ho de Kerberos kuon esti". I tried this on holiday on Corfu last year. Got me nowhere. It means "on the one hand Thrasumakos is a boy, whilst on the other hand Kerberos is a dog".

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  5. Oh by the way David.

    I is Lovin'
    No Luving
    Err Lurving
    No. Hang on Loofering.
    No..
    Bugger it.
    Like your blog sir.
    Always a bloody good read.

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