Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
Apr 8th 2010, 1:37 am
#17
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Re: Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
I lost an argument about apostrophes and abbreviations the other day.
(I didn't really lose - I just conceded because I couldn't be bothered to fight the stupidity).
Example: CD's. DVD's. LCCN's.
An apostrophe is not required. But, because of the morons out there, it has become accepted to do this.
(I didn't really lose - I just conceded because I couldn't be bothered to fight the stupidity).
Example: CD's. DVD's. LCCN's.
An apostrophe is not required. But, because of the morons out there, it has become accepted to do this.
I think you are right that it is becoming "accepted usage." However, sometimes things become "accepted usage" not because people are "morons," but because the "rule" is no longer functional. I think "CD's" is clearer than "CDs." If the periods in an abbreviation were universally required [such as by the New York Times], "C.D.s" would be crystal clear. Once the periods are dropped, "CD's" strikes me as acceptable due to clarity.
No need to argue -- you are correct as to what the current "rule" is. But cannot you acknowledge that "rule" may change by "accepted practice."
Apr 8th 2010, 5:32 am
#19
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Re: Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
Or did you mean you cringe at the sight of it?
I get annoyed by reporters (either in papers or on web pages) who can't get their spelling and grammer correct. It should be covered in Reporting 101.
In the UK we also use practise, e.g. "I am practising the violin", and practice, e.g. a Doctor's Practice. My understanding is that in the US practice is used in both cases.
Last edited by Englishman in Eugene; Apr 8th 2010 at 5:36 am.
Apr 8th 2010, 7:37 am
#20
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Re: Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
I don't know what your all complaining about. When in Roam, and all that ...
Apr 8th 2010, 12:19 pm
#21
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Re: Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
You cringe at its location???
Or did you mean you cringe at the sight of it?
I get annoyed by reporters (either in papers or on web pages) who can't get their spelling and grammer correct. It should be covered in Reporting 101.
In the UK we also use practise, e.g. "I am practising the violin", and practice, e.g. a Doctor's Practice. My understanding is that in the US practice is used in both cases.
Or did you mean you cringe at the sight of it?
I get annoyed by reporters (either in papers or on web pages) who can't get their spelling and grammer correct. It should be covered in Reporting 101.
In the UK we also use practise, e.g. "I am practising the violin", and practice, e.g. a Doctor's Practice. My understanding is that in the US practice is used in both cases.
Apr 8th 2010, 12:23 pm
#22
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Apr 8th 2010, 1:49 pm
#23
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Re: Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
It seems that the apostrophe is acceptable in certain circumstances. FWIW, see this Wikipedia article. It is allowed in limited circumstances for clarity. For example "Dot your i's and cross your t's." The phrase "Dot your is..." would be confusing, no?
I think you are right that it is becoming "accepted usage." However, sometimes things become "accepted usage" not because people are "morons," but because the "rule" is no longer functional. I think "CD's" is clearer than "CDs." If the periods in an abbreviation were universally required [such as by the New York Times], "C.D.s" would be crystal clear. Once the periods are dropped, "CD's" strikes me as acceptable due to clarity.
No need to argue -- you are correct as to what the current "rule" is. But cannot you acknowledge that "rule" may change by "accepted practice."
I think you are right that it is becoming "accepted usage." However, sometimes things become "accepted usage" not because people are "morons," but because the "rule" is no longer functional. I think "CD's" is clearer than "CDs." If the periods in an abbreviation were universally required [such as by the New York Times], "C.D.s" would be crystal clear. Once the periods are dropped, "CD's" strikes me as acceptable due to clarity.
No need to argue -- you are correct as to what the current "rule" is. But cannot you acknowledge that "rule" may change by "accepted practice."
And moran is the accepted spelling of moron in the blogosphere. It's a little in-joke.
Apr 8th 2010, 1:51 pm
#24
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Re: Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
You cringe at its location???
Or did you mean you cringe at the sight of it?
I get annoyed by reporters (either in papers or on web pages) who can't get their spelling and grammer correct. It should be covered in Reporting 101.
In the UK we also use practise, e.g. "I am practising the violin", and practice, e.g. a Doctor's Practice. My understanding is that in the US practice is used in both cases.
Or did you mean you cringe at the sight of it?
I get annoyed by reporters (either in papers or on web pages) who can't get their spelling and grammer correct. It should be covered in Reporting 101.
In the UK we also use practise, e.g. "I am practising the violin", and practice, e.g. a Doctor's Practice. My understanding is that in the US practice is used in both cases.
Apr 8th 2010, 2:14 pm
#25
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Re: Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
What about "no advice given nor intended"? Wouldn't that be classed as a double negative and therefore incorrect? 
Apr 8th 2010, 2:15 pm
#26
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Apr 8th 2010, 2:22 pm
#27
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Re: Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
I once had a 10 year old, US student ask me why I had written "practise" in his note book and not "practice" <sigh>
Apr 8th 2010, 2:47 pm
#28
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Re: Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
It makes more sense to conform with US written English than US spoken English (because the former has clear rules of what is correct/incorrect, whereas the latter has more room for variability in terms of what is acceptable).
Apr 8th 2010, 3:50 pm
#30
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Re: Advice and advise -- US/UK spelling
I believe it is the equivalent of two sentences: 1) no advice given and 2) no advice intended. A double negative would be "I do not give, and do not intend to give no advice."