Thirith on 4/8/2008 at 08:32
Quote Posted by Queue
There shouldn't be either an "s", or an "'s", at the end of RPG. If there is to be a plural then the pluralism already exists within the "G": i.e. games. The same goes for a possessive (the "'s") form.
Even if it says this in some book, it's pretty much rubbish. Without the S it's ambiguous whether the abbreviation is to be used as a plural or a singular in any given context. Sure, the context will make it clear in most cases, but leaving out the S if you're talking about "role-playing games" as opposed to "a role-playing game" makes it more difficult to parse the phrase. Unless you're wilfully trying to be unclear, it's common sense to add the plural S if you're talking about role-playing games, plural ("Too many RPGs rely heavily on combat gameplay."), or use apostrophe S for a possessive ("This RPG's list of features is woefully short.").
Queue: Do you also say "I've got perhaps fifty CD and a hundred DVD"?
Queue on 4/8/2008 at 23:03
Thirith--
All I'm saying is that in this case none of the "s" forms are needed (or correct). Also, sentence structure needs to be correct.
Take your example of: "Too many RPGs rely heavily on combat gameplay."
Instead, it should read: "In the case of an RPG, too many rely heavily on combat gameplay." -or- "Too often, an RPG relies heavily on combat gameplay." The plural is there, if only implied.
Now for this one: "I've got perhaps fifty CD and a hundred DVD"? It should then become: "My CD collection is perhaps fifty, and another hundred for the DVD collection."
But then again--
WHY AM I DOING THIS?! Who cares anyway? *phooey!* Besides, I just wanted to be a lumberjack--leaping from tree to tree.
Thirith on 5/8/2008 at 07:36
Quote Posted by Queue
Thirith--
All I'm saying is that in this case none of the "s" forms are needed (or correct). Also, sentence structure needs to be correct.
Take your example of: "Too many RPGs rely heavily on combat gameplay."
Instead, it should read: "In the case of an RPG, too many rely heavily on combat gameplay." -or- "Too often, an RPG relies heavily on combat gameplay." The plural is there, if only implied.
Now for this one: "I've got perhaps fifty CD and a hundred DVD"? It should then become: "My CD collection is perhaps fifty, and another hundred for the DVD collection."
Out of interest: why would you make those changes? Based on what sort of rules? I'm asking because as far as I'm concerned (and having a degree in English Languages and Literatures I'd expect to be somewhat informed, though not necessarily right, of course) you're changing but not improving, let alone correcting, any of these sentences. You clearly seem to be following some ruleset, but it's one I don't think I've seen or heard of before.
Queue on 5/8/2008 at 12:24
So we are going to pull out the old, "Show me your credentials, and I'll show you mine," bit. Okay, I'll play along: English Literature, and twenty-two years experience writing/publishing.
But, that's a moot point.
Thirith, I'm not trying to be correct. I'm having a bit of fun playing around with a few silly sentences, which should have been apparent by my statement at the end, and hoping that someone would play along--instead of blowing it up being too damned literal.
Thirith on 5/8/2008 at 12:52
Quote Posted by Queue
So we are going to pull out the old, "Show me your credentials, and I'll show you mine," bit. Okay, I'll play along: English Literature, and twenty-two years experience writing/publishing.
I'm not; hence the "I've got credentials and experience, but that doesn't make me right" bit. Your post sounded to me like you were saying, "A is wrong, B is right" or at least "A is less good, B is better", and I was looking for a basis for that claim. If I misunderstood you, I apologise.
Fingernail on 5/8/2008 at 15:48
Surely "my CD collection numbers fifty..."
Otherwise you could be saying it's fifty years old.
Maybe we should just create new words such as ceedees and arpeegees
The_Raven on 6/8/2008 at 18:50
My search for Grammar Nazi gold continues...
Thirith on 7/8/2008 at 09:19
Reading the thread title, I keep wondering what exactly caused the grammar nazis to go on strike. Bad working condition? Bad pay? Or just way too much to get worked up about?
