The BBC having problems with English

Clodfobble · 06-01-2009, 03:20 PM

If you want to get really technical, you aren't supposed to say "compared to countries such as the UK" either.

Such as serves the same function as which--both must begin their own clause, and require a comma. To attach it to the current clause would require using the word "like" (instead of such as) or "that" (instead of which.)

What they really meant was "compared to other countries, such as the UK" or else "compared to countries like the UK."

dar512 · 06-01-2009, 03:35 PM

Pie and Clod's criticisms are correct, but it was the misuse of illicit vs. elicit that grabbed me. I'm not really a grammar nazi, but "that word doesn't mean what they think it means".

joelnwil · 06-01-2009, 03:48 PM

What if I elicit an illicit response? Would such an act of eliciting be illicit?

dar512 · 06-01-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelnwil

What if I elicit an illicit response? Would such an act of eliciting be illicit?

Explicitly!

TheMercenary · 06-01-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dar512

Pie and Clod's criticisms are correct, but it was the misuse of illicit vs. elicit that grabbed me. I'm not really a grammar nazi, but "that word doesn't mean what they think it means".

That was my take as well. The UK is always down on our gun issue and violence so that bit was no shock. They are no different than our press; they are in the business to sell papers and adverts.

ZenGum · 06-01-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

If you want to get really technical, you aren't supposed to say "compared to countries such as the UK" either.

Such as serves the same function as which--both must begin their own clause, and require a comma. To attach it to the current clause would require using the word "like" (instead of such as) or "that" (instead of which.)

What they really meant was "compared to other countries, such as the UK" or else "compared to countries like the UK."

My gripe was that it compares two incomparable things: the abortion issue, and the UK.

What they meant was: why does this issue elicit such a strong respons in the USA compared to in the UK?

Pie · 06-01-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

What they meant was: why does this issue elicit such a strong respons in the USA compared to in the UK?

Because we Merkins are a bunch of fundie morons, apparently.

Next!

diminished · 06-01-2009, 11:17 PM

The BBC are becoming noticeably slack on their interpretation of English.A good friend and I used to stay up late,watching for errors in their news-ticker which runs along the bottom of the screen on BBC News 24.We saw some howlers,but I'm too not-stoned to remember.

06-01-2009, 03:20 PM	#1
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	If you want to get really technical, you aren't supposed to say "compared to countries such as the UK" either. Such as serves the same function as which--both must begin their own clause, and require a comma. To attach it to the current clause would require using the word "like" (instead of such as) or "that" (instead of which.) What they really meant was "compared to other countries, such as the UK" or else "compared to countries like the UK." __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

06-01-2009, 03:35 PM	#2
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	Pie and Clod's criticisms are correct, but it was the misuse of illicit vs. elicit that grabbed me. I'm not really a grammar nazi, but "that word doesn't mean what they think it means". __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

06-01-2009, 11:17 PM	#8
diminished Why Aye,Man! Join Date: May 2009 Location: At the moment,'Merika Posts: 101	The BBC are becoming noticeably slack on their interpretation of English.A good friend and I used to stay up late,watching for errors in their news-ticker which runs along the bottom of the screen on BBC News 24.We saw some howlers,but I'm too not-stoned to remember. __________________ They [Young People] have exalted notions, because they have not been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations; moreover, their hopeful disposition makes them think themselves equal to great things.They would always rather do noble deeds than useful ones: Their lives are regulated more by moral feeling than by reasoning ...They overdo everything - they love too much, hate too much, and the same with everything else. Aristotle circa 350 BC

06-01-2009, 03:48 PM	#3
joelnwil Major Inhabitant Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Silver Spring MD Posts: 128	What if I elicit an illicit response? Would such an act of eliciting be illicit?

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