Author Topic: Daily Grump (Read 1685 times)

goldencup · « **on:** May 08, 2006, 09:32:54 am »

Just thought it was time for another usage/abusage-type whinge. What is wrong with that little word 'me'. Why do so many people think it cannot be used and must always be replaced by 'myself'. I've even heard my boss (usually a stickler for good English) telling people to "Come and see myself" or "Write a letter addressed to myself." Surely this is incorrect, or perhaps it's me that's got it wrong. Oldspice? Smurfy?

Cherry_Ripe · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2006, 12:10:00 pm »

It's the same with 'yourself' as in 'I received a letter from yourself.' It doesn't sound right to me (myself ).

smurfboy · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2006, 02:29:35 pm »

I've noticed that one creeping in too GC. I think there was some training course once that said 'myself' was more inclusive or some such crap!

oldspice · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2006, 05:45:59 pm »

This is clearly a case of incorrect use of the reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, himself, herself, themselves etc). The speaker or writer should use me as the possive pronoun when referring to themselves (come and see me) and myself when speaking or writing in the reflexive (I fell and injured myself).

goldencup · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2006, 01:22:15 pm »

Thank you.

It may not be a good career move to start lecturing my boss about her passive pronouns though so I'll have to suffer in silence.

oldspice · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2006, 08:18:29 pm »

What matters most is that you understand what she is saying. Getting all pedantic is a bit pointless when the main objective is to be understood.

When the meaning of what someone is saying or writing becomes a total guessing game - that's the time to start lecturing. Try this for size. i asked a student to carry out some research into Charles Babbage and write five facts about his life and work. One of the facts he wrote was:

He did indeed create mechanical monsters due to his father's childish reasonings.

When I asked him what he meant he just shrugged his shoulders and said "i dunno miss but it sounded impressive".

smurfboy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2006, 08:20:08 pm »

Quote from: oldspice

What matters most is that you understand what she is saying. Getting all pedantic is a bit pointless when the main objective is to be understood.

It doesn't stop it being annoying though.

goldencup · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2006, 12:28:35 am »

How true!

oldspice · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2006, 08:05:59 am »

Yes, I know what you mean. Like those apostrophe's!()

minty · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2006, 05:21:00 pm »

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smurfboy · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2006, 06:45:41 pm »

loulou · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2006, 04:46:13 pm »

I don't like painting.

oldspice · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2006, 06:03:02 pm »

It's ok if you've got some good music to listen to.

minty · « **Reply #13 on:** May 11, 2006, 08:56:34 pm »

. minty38937.749212963

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Author Topic: Daily Grump (Read 1685 times)