Who Here Uses The Word "the" Before A Non-specific Noun?

Discussion in 'Evolution of Language' started by John Brunner, Feb 21, 2022.

  1. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    Don't know about Bobby but I can see all kinds of mishaps in trying that.
    But I will try and keep it in mind. Have you read any Lewis Grizzard books? I love his books he is so funny. He hits on language now and then.
    Now tell me what is wrong with what I just said.
     
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  2. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    edited
     
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    Last edited: May 19, 2022
  3. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    Man, I'm no good at this.

    -There are missing commas throughout.
    -"But I will try and keep it in mind." This is an incomplete sentence.
    -"Have you read any Lewis Grizzard books?" should be "Have you read any of Lewis Grizzard's books?"
    -"I love his books he is so funny." This should be 2 sentences. And he's deceased...He was so funny.

    And I bet I did not even pick up on what you were trying to get me to see...bless your heart. ;)
     
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  4. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    Worse than I thought, o_O thats ok long as you understand what I'm saying.
    @John Brunner I think you've already seen it, since I put it up here once already. I took it down.
     
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  5. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    #1: Part of the issue is that so much of our writing is "conversational." There is really nothing wrong with the informal tone. And if you asked me to tell you what a past participle is, I might say "Last week's thunderstorm." I really do not understand any of that stuff, or "transitive cases" or anything else other than maybe verbs and nouns. During my business career, I always kept reference books handy, yet I'm sure I still transgressed.

    #2: I listened to a little of Lewis' video again. I also looked at the guy's bio online. He was in his 40s when he died of complications from his fourth heart-valve surgery!!! damn
     
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  6. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    From what I remember it started with an abscessed tooth infected his heart while he was visiting Russia. He wouldn't go to the dentist till he got back home.
    I bought all 21 of his books. He wrote one on his death bed 'Elvis Is Dead And I don't Feel So Good Myself', and the last one was, 'They Took Out My Heart And Stomped The Sucker Flat'.
    One of my favorite's, ' Don't Bend Over In The Garden Granny, Them Taters Got Eyes'.
    His humor was clean.
     
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