I don't think there's any rigorous style rule addressing this situation. For example, Olympic judges' scores could be reported in prose without commas -- or at least that wouldn't be surprising or "wrong." There's even a bit of poetry or artistry there. Listing the scores without commas conveys a sense of monotony to the reader, and that's often appropriate in these circumstances.sundaymorningstaple wrote:That explains why you didn't use commas between the scores...
No, I'm afraid you're a bit out of date. Chongapore's use of "m'kay" provides some evidence that he's highly tuned into popular culture in the English speaking world, at least North America's part of it. That's impressive, and kudos to Chongapore! See here for a recent reference. And here. (Caution: The second link is Not Safe for Work.)...and you misspelled okay.
Ironically, standard English grammar requires a comma after the word "scores" (or, alternatively, preferably, a repetition of the word "why"). I was trying to be polite in not pointing out that defect, but since you're not being polite....sundaymorningstaple wrote:That explains why you didn't use commas between the scores and you misspelled okay.
No, I'm afraid not. Check the references. I understood Chongapore's word choice immediately, and I was (and am) quite impressed. It was/is a perfectly used, perfectly placed bit of modern North American English -- very well played. "M'kay" entered popular English language vernacular at least as far back as 1999 with the release of the film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. That's just plain, demonstrated fact. The Oxford Dictionary agrees, although Oxford prefers the form "mkay" or "mmkay." (All are acceptable. The film used "m'kay," exactly as Chongapore wrote.) Chongapore's English is just more hip and modern than yours, that's all. Perhaps more clever, too, because "m'kay" is a replacement for another four letter word, as Mr. Mackey helpfully explained in the film. The second link I provided is a clip from the film.sundaymorningstaple wrote:BS.
Standard rules of English grammar (and style) would require repairing this run-on sentence in some fashion. There are a couple possible solutions. Forming two sentences would work, as one example.sundaymorningstaple wrote:....that means you had 10 to 12 years of study so in theory you should have aced all of them.
Standard rules of English grammar would require using the personal pronoun "I" before the word "guess."Guess you were a slacker in school.
The fact is that, on this occasion, Chongapore ran circles around you with a perfectly placed, perfectly pitched "South Park" reference. Score one for Chongapore, m'kay?sundaymorningstaple wrote:But I expect better of tertairy educated people who brag about their English even though it's no better than mine.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests