Topic: Things my English teachers hated (Page 1 of 1)

Well, there were lots of things (like using the word "lots" in this context and making parenthesized comments in the middle of sentences). Another thing was coming up with 'odd' ways to 'manipulate' the absurdity that is American English (although I'm sure this isn't restricted to "American" English, or even English at all)

Enjoy: ?Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo?

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Any sufficiently advanced bug is indistinguishable from a feature.

(Edited by Lord_Fukutoku on 08-13-2006 18:25)

it's funny but i dont think it still is an acceptable sentance

Agreed. Amusing, but not proper English. It begins with the premise that "that" isn't necessary, which is absurd. "Dogs that chase cats" and "Dogs chase cats" are two entirely different sentences. The first is specifying a particular type of dog, while the second is a blanket statement of fact. I can make all sorts of ridiculous sentences if I take out whatever minor parts of speech I deem "unnecessary."

Then again, I was an English teacher at one point in my illustrious career.


___________________________
Suho: www.liminality.org | Cell 270 | Sig Rotator | the Fellowship of Sup

(Double post.)

(Edited by Wes on 08-14-2006 04:38)

Except that it's "Cats dogs chase," not "dogs chase cats."

Though I would still suggest keeping "that," as it makes it more readily comprehensible.

Ah, yes. Apparently I missed the point there. That's what I get from skimming without reading.

So scratch that post above.

And yeah, the "that" definitely makes it more comprehensible, but I think the idea was to make a sentence that was as incomprehensible as possible while still being grammatically correct. Like building an absolutely horrid web page that validates.


___________________________
Suho: www.liminality.org | Cell 270 | Sig Rotator | the Fellowship of Sup

(Edited by Suho1004 on 08-14-2006 05:04)

One thing my old english teacher hated was me

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First, suppose that dogs chase cats, who then chase mice.

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What caught my eye was the use of 'who'... which I always thought was reserved for people. Cats, dogs,walls and rocks were either which or that. At least that's what I had pounded into my thick skull.

___________________________________________________________________________
The goal in Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "holy moly what a ride!"

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Wes said:

Except that it's "Cats dogs chase," not "dogs chase cats."

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I think Suho was right the first time.

"Cats dogs chase", taken out of this context, could refer to the type of cats that dogs will chase (note the use of that). For example, a dog can selectively chase only black cats.

Dogs chase cats - well that's a different story - this describes a true dog's purpose in life.

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I think Suho was right the first time. "Cats dogs chase", taken out of this context, could refer to the type of cats that dogs will chase (note the use of that). For example, a dog can selectively chase only black cats.

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I was pointing out that Suho had misquoted the page. You described exactly my, and the buffalo page's, point. That's what the phrase is supposed to mean, whereas "dogs chase cats" is something entirely different.

Yes, mea culpa. I misquoted the page because I wasn't paying attention.

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Wes said:
I was pointing out that Suho had misquoted the page.

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I apologize Wes. Or Wes apologize I.

I'm glad that at least you quoted me properly even though I misquoted you properly quoting Suho who had misquoted the origninal quote.



edit: origninal???? nevermind

(Edited by SleepingWolf on 08-15-2006 04:28)

No problem. You just won't be eligible to enter the Win a Date With Wes contest (as described in my sig at the time of this posting).

Suho still qualifies.

You trollup! Men need not apply I suppose.... or is it women? I have a hard time remembering who's straight and who's gay and who wants to marry their duck. The only thing I know for sure is that it all goes better with Nutella! =)

___________________________________________________________________________
The goal in Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "holy moly what a ride!"

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Wes said:
Suho still qualifies.

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Woohoo! Excellent!

Too bad I'm 6800 miles away from either of those places.

^ Suho

O/T How goes/went it in the Land of the Rising Sun..... progress report if you please.... or should that be .... if it you please, please

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Maruman said:

One thing my old english teacher hated was me

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LOL...opposite here, my teacher loved me *yikes*

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Ian: Well, not much to report for the past few weeks, but a month ago we got back from a three-week trip to Tokyo and New York (pics at those links, in case anyone is interested). That's been the only excitement these days. Other than that it's just a bunch of work--translating, trying to write my dissertation, etc. In other words: fun!



Yannah: long time no see. Have some Nutella. It's on the house.

And what's wrong about being loved by your English teacher? Assuming we are talking about a wholesome love, of course.

(Edited by Suho1004 on 08-17-2006 10:26)

My mother and I are both English majors, we really appreciated this humor!

~~~
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein

Dogs Love Cats!

They're yummy!

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Is This Thing On?

Webbing; the stuff that sticks to your face.

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What caught my eye was the use of 'who'... which I always thought was reserved for people. Cats, dogs,walls and rocks were either which or that. At least that's what I had pounded into my thick skull.

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Nah, animals are people too

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Suho1004 said:
Yannah: long time no see. Have some Nutella. It's on the house.

And what's wrong about being loved by your English teacher? Assuming we are talking about a wholesome love, of course.(Edited by Suho1004 on 08-17-2006 10:26)

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Hey! Thanks for the Nutella, just what I need for my stressing school works.

There's nothing wrong about that Suho, I just didn't like the attention that's all.

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Deviations | 5464 | My Poetry Cell | My Own Domain | Xanga| Support and advice needed. Now!
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| "The past will always attack the present with the pain of your memories." - Seiichi Kirima |
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This website reminds me of the funniest moment I ever had during an english lesson... A few years ago, our English teacher tried to improve our pronunciation by telling us to repeat quickly special sentences... like 'Sue can chew her new, blue, true, glue stew at the zoo' or 'How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood'.

Needless to say, everybody ended up mixing up all the words, that was so funny

I think our teacher hated us all this day

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If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets.