FrenziedAU
Member
+6|6865|Australia
I have a couple of comments about using the correct words in the correct place.  Note that these errors are common everywhere, but we can start being correct here.

Firstly, most people use 'less' when they should be using 'fewer'.  Fewer refers to a smaller number of discrete objects, e.g. people, oranges, servers, whatever.  Less refers to a smaller quantity of something, e.g. less water in the jar.

Second is decimate.  To decimate something is to reduce it by 10%.  e.g. If an armoured column has been reduced from ten tanks to nine tanks, it has been decimated.  Please don't use decimate when you mean wiped out.
pure_beef_69
Banned
+186|7064
lmao says you who has written "correct us of english" its USE NOT US! HHHHHHHAhahahahhaha so ironic
Varegg
Support fanatic :-)
+2,206|7227|Nårvei

Find 2 grammar mistakes and you will receive a cookie
Wait behind the line ..............................................................
Penetrator
Certified Twat
+296|6925|Bournemouth, South England

FrenziedAU wrote:

Second is decimate.  To decimate something is to reduce it by 10%.  e.g. If an armoured column has been reduced from ten tanks to nine tanks, it has been decimated.  Please don't use decimate when you mean wiped out.
However, to "Dessimate" means something else entirely.
Prodie
Moderator Emeritus
+270|7192|Nova Scotia, Canada

Lol, been here 2 days, made 2 posts and already complaining about grammar!

Wait til' you see Supah's posts!
brome
brap.
+244|7004|Accidental, TK
5 items or fewer at the supermarket till.  'fraid to say this sorta thing really doesn't move me.  Did you read that book... eats shoots and leaves or something? or are you *gasp* that woman?

Penetrator_01 wrote:

FrenziedAU wrote:

Second is decimate.  To decimate something is to reduce it by 10%.  e.g. If an armoured column has been reduced from ten tanks to nine tanks, it has been decimated.  Please don't use decimate when you mean wiped out.
However, to "Dessimate" means something else entirely.
lawlzorz

Last edited by brome (2006-09-04 07:27:41)

Varegg
Support fanatic :-)
+2,206|7227|Nårvei

I sense Coolbeano will be around soon !

*Puts on the funny hat again and makes strange hand gestures*
Wait behind the line ..............................................................
DoctorFruitloop
Level 13 Wrongdoer
+515|6964|Doncaster, UK
*Brings the popcorn*

Yay, it's a Grammar-off!!!!

(and the original meaning of decimate was when the commander had every tenth person killed in a roman legion as a punishment for not performing but this does not mean that the meaning of a word cannot change over time.)
Hurricane
Banned
+1,153|7048|Washington, DC

Varegg wrote:

Find 2 grammar mistakes and you will receive a cookie
"Second is decimate."

Should it be "The second is"?

"the correct words in the correct place."

Should it be places?
Brasso
member
+1,549|7048

FrenziedAU wrote:

Second is decimate.  To decimate something is to reduce it by 10%.  e.g. If an armoured column has been reduced from ten tanks to nine tanks, it has been decimated.  Please don't use decimate when you mean wiped out.
Didn't know that.  I thought it meant wiped out.
"people in ny have a general idea of how to drive. one of the pedals goes forward the other one prevents you from dying"
Brasso
member
+1,549|7048

WAITTAMINUTE!  I was half-right!  You can use decimate to mean both wiped out and reduced by 1/10!

http://dictionary.reference.com/search? … =0&y=0
"people in ny have a general idea of how to drive. one of the pedals goes forward the other one prevents you from dying"
Penetrator
Certified Twat
+296|6925|Bournemouth, South England
The correct word in the correct place?

I think this could be the correct place for the word...YAWN!

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