Eats, shoots and leaves...

[OwlsFan]

According to the match reports on the Sheffield Wednesday official site, Partridge played in all but four minutes of Wednesday's last two friendlies (in the past two days). The first was a win on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Wovles and the second a 1-2 defeat to Dundee United.

Defeat by - lose to. Just one of my (many) pedantic obsessions. Strictly speaking they weren't friendlies either (getting more pedantic) - it was for the City of Discovery Cup played between the two Dundee teams, Wednesday and Wolves.

Partridge played in both games - was substituted in the 86th minute in the Wolves game. Not sure how long he lasted in the game against the Arabs. Will keep an eye on the Wednesday Official site to see if he's done enough to be offered a contract. Fingers crossed.

[Stuttgart88]

Just one of my (many) pedantic obsessions.

Buy that man a copy of "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" to keep him happy

My personal bugbear is the use of "their" after each, every, either or neither, as in "each player played their part...".

There are more important things to be worried about, I accept.

[OwlsFan]

Buy that man a copy of "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" to keep him happy .

Have it but haven't read it yet. Got it as a gift. I wonder why.

Another annoying trait for TV sports presenters or writers is the use of the word "admits".

Here are just a few from a search of the BBC Sports Website:

Kimi Raikkonen admits he needs a good finish at the German GP to keep the pressure on Fernando Alonso.

Padraig Harrington admits he will be struggling for motivation in Hamburg after the death of his father

James Gibson admits he will find it tough to retain his title at the World Swimming Championships.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff admits he is itching to make his Ashes debut as the first Test looms.

Obviously the word "says" is too bland for these writers but why is Flintoff admitting he wants to make his Ashes debut? Was he denying it before ?

Anyway, I'll keep you posted on Partridge who no doubt admits he would love to go to Hillsborough.

[Plastic Paddy]

Have it but haven't read it yet. Got it as a gift. I wonder why.

It's a great read. I for one am driven to the brink of madness by the inability of people to use the apostrophe correctly. It's all I can do to avoid picking people up on it here.

PP

[Stuttgart88]

My wife bought a copy before it became famous & thought it was great. Knowing I'm a stickler for correct use of the apostrophe she then gave it to me to read.

On p2 I found a grammar error so I e-mailed the editor. He agreed with me initially but having consulted the author eventually stood by what was printed. I even got an e-mail from the author explaining that due to the sentence being written in the subjunctive case it was actually correct, though I'm still not convinced.

The lengths that pedants go to!

Apparently there's a movement to remove all forms of punctuation. Over my dead body!

[OwlsFan]

What was the alleged grammatical error ?

[Stuttgart88]

Can't remember exactly but it was along the lines of "It's become really bad. It's enough to make one lose their temper".

If you have the book to hand you'll find it. Second page.

[Plastic Paddy]

Scant consolation, but the "least bad" version of "their" was used in the case you mention. "There" or even "they're" seems to be the word of choice for people faced with the personal possessive. Ugh.

PP

[OwlsFan]

On p2 I found a grammar error so I e-mailed the editor. He agreed with me initially but having consulted the author eventually stood by what was printed. I even got an e-mail from the author explaining that due to the sentence being written in the subjunctive case it was actually correct, though I'm still not convinced.!

Was it: "One almost dare not get up in the mornings" ?

Did you think it should be "dares" ?

[gustavo]

how about anyone that doesnt know how to spell the word lose ?
really annoying
ie ye will loose ye are a bunch of loosers

[crc]

The lengths that pedants go to!

Or perhaps "the lengths to which pedants go"!