[wellylug] Re: [OT] English Language Discussion

[Bret Comstock Waldow]

On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 10:37, Jethro Carr wrote:
> Plus, when writing on computers, your English is usually better quality,
> as it's so easy to change things. Handwritten work is not very easy to
> change, as you usually have to rewrite it afterwards.

"Plus, when writing on computers, your English is usually of better quality, 
as it's then so easy to change things. Handwritten work is not very easy to 
change, as you would then usually have to rewrite it afterwards."

The "of" provides an implication that "better quality" is a category that can 
be belonged to, distinguished from alternates, that "your English" belongs 
to, as opposed to the current flat statement that someone's English simply is 
"better quality" (I thought English was a language, not a quality, 
particularly not "better quality"?  Notice that in your statement, English is 
not just A "better quality", but rather English IS "better quality", the very 
thing itself - 1.2 billion Chinese might disagree...).

The "then (so easy)" indicates that the easy changes are in the context of 
"writing on computers" as opposed to being universally true without limit or 
context.  I do not in fact find it universally easy to "change things".  
Would that such were true - The Chimpanzee-In-Chief would be in a zoo, still 
quite secure in his reign...

The "would then" also indicates that "rewrite it afterwards" is applicable in 
the context of changing handwritten work, as opposed to indicating a general 
requirement that writing must always be re-written as a matter of course 
without regard to whether (in this case) changes are needed - "then" 
indicates the context, and "would" indicates the re-writing is conditional on 
that previous context (coming after and dependent on - otherwise not 
applying).

It would also probably be wise to write "one's English" or "my English".  The 
construction you used indicates specifically the person you are addressing - 
is that person the only one this applies to?

You're brave (foolhardy?) making statements about the correctness of English 
usage in a public forum.  Got your lead knickers on?

8-)

Cheers,
Bret

-- 
Given the degree to which Americans distrust politicians, it boggles the mind 
that religious leaders would consign themselves to that particular circle of 
hell.
- Alan Wolfe
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