elise
November 16, 2006 at 2:02 am
Oooh, I just discovered you through the NaBloPoMo thing and am thrilled.
You see, in my circle I am referred to as the “Spelling Nazi” but it’s never really been limited to spelling .
Do a post on answering the phone!
“Hello, may I speak with Mr. X?”
“Yes, this is him ”
Aaaaaggghhh! It kills me.
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8 Comments.
feather
November 14, 2006 at 5:47 pm
My brother has stopped watching sports shows in the living room because I inevitably wander through and complain about the announcers’ grammar.
Though I do admit to frequently messing up well and good in the “How are you doing?” instance. The fact that most people, myself included, drop the implied “doing” from “I’m well” trips me up. And what about if you drop the “I’m” completely and just give a one word response? It sounds strange to say “well,” and it would probably get me very strange looks if I did it here, in my small midwestern hometown. I think that perhaps this is one area where language is evolving past the rules of grammar. In practical day-to-day usage outside of English departments it seems perfectly acceptable, maybe even more appropriate, to say “good” in response to “How’s it going?”
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3 Comments.
organic mama
November 13, 2006 at 10:16 am
Why do you WANT one?
Perhaps you’re nuts. Maybe it is to show you can. Why not? I mean, aside from the years of work and piles of money.
Ph.D. is the pinnacle, the ultimate academic achievement, and I want to go for one too. Why? Well, because it predicates a great deal of specific, primary research that it entirely up to YOU. Instant expert, albeit in a narrow field, as a result of courses you want to take, things you want to write about and research that YOU direct. I feel like the next few professional years are clandestine research for what I will eventually want to scrutinize for a Ph,D,.
PLUS at the end of the road there’s a squishy hat and really cool robes.
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