Go Down
-
An American grammar question (totally off topic) by Chavster on 21 Sep, 2011 10:57
-
Lets say, just as an example, Barack Obama and George Dubya Bush meet up one night and they go to the Olive Garden for some spaghetti with three cheese marinara, salad, and breadsticks.
The next morning, news headlines (newspapers and online) might look like this:
OBAMA, BUSH EAT SPAGHETTI AT OLIVE GARDEN
Whats with the comma? Any time I read an American newspaper or website, and they're talking about two or more things/people, they never say:
OBAMA AND BUSH EAT SPAGHETTI, or BUSH & OBAMA EAT SPAGHETTI.... its always BUSH, OBAMA EAT SPAGHETTI
Who taught you people that? Its awful!
(I do realise there are more important issues in the world. I'm just killing time before dinner) -
#1 by Razor X on 21 Sep, 2011 11:00
-
It's just something we do to piss off the Brits.
-
#2 by Chavster on 21 Sep, 2011 11:00
-
It works!
-
#3 by tomgallagher on 21 Sep, 2011 11:19
-
Probably the same guy that taught you Brits to begin every other sentence with "right".
-
#4 by Chavster on 21 Sep, 2011 11:20
-
Do we?
For example, 'right its really warm today'?
-
#5 by tomgallagher on 21 Sep, 2011 11:21
-
Y'all sure do get your money's worth out of that little old word.
-
#6 by Chavster on 21 Sep, 2011 11:23
-
I've never noticed. Its not a way I begin my own sentences. Can you give me an example? A real one that is
-
#7 by tomgallagher on 21 Sep, 2011 11:27
-
Right. just listen to the BBC shows.
-
#8 by Razor X on 21 Sep, 2011 11:28
-
Can't say I've ever noticed with the possible exception of certain charcters on EastEnders.
-
#9 by Sly Red on 21 Sep, 2011 11:28
-
OK, here's my take: If it's in a newspaper it's simply a method they use for a terse headline. Nothing more. Anyone else agree, disagree?
Red -
#10 by Razor X on 21 Sep, 2011 11:29
-
OK, here's my take: If it's in a newspaper it's simply a method they use for a terse headline. Nothing more. Anyone else agree, disagree?
Red
Agree. -
#11 by tomgallagher on 21 Sep, 2011 11:30
-
Agreed.
-
#12 by Chavster on 21 Sep, 2011 11:32
-
I dont know what that means
-
#13 by Sly Red on 21 Sep, 2011 11:36
-
Terse as in short and concise. You've just spoiled my perception that Brits have better vocabularies than Americans.
I'm shattered!
Red -
#14 by Chavster on 21 Sep, 2011 11:40
-
I know what terse means, you young whippersnapper you but I was trying to think of 'terse' in conjuction with my spaghetti analogy
I dont think it matters whether the headline is suppose to be terse or not...its just that comma thing, it seems to be used all the time, and I just dont get it