tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post2291039286963161..comments2024-03-29T06:29:02.182-04:00Comments on You Don't Say: Henry Fowler's divided legacyJohn McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03559687583130468871noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-72819339241737446532009-12-17T13:16:34.463-05:002009-12-17T13:16:34.463-05:00True, we don't use "shall" conversat...True, we don't use "shall" conversationally anymore (although I must say the Presbyterian Book of Order is rife with "shalls"), but knowing that it was used -- and how it was used -- would help any writer whose historical novel is set in the relevant period. One criticism some writers come up against is the accusation that "people didn't talk that way then."<br /><br />What style manual did Jane Austen use?Kristen Stieffelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06716097889143393543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-58723768011404105222009-12-08T00:35:54.866-05:002009-12-08T00:35:54.866-05:00In the case of "Shall we Dance?" the Fut...In the case of "Shall we Dance?" the Future Interrogative serves very nicely. Otherwise, Heads Shall Roll.Patricia the Tersenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-14943933640671995692009-12-07T18:44:50.675-05:002009-12-07T18:44:50.675-05:00"I have heard in this country, in the senate,..."I have heard in this country, in the senate, at the bar and from the pulpit, and see daily in dissertations from the press, errors in grammar..."<br />John Witherspoon 1781<br /><br />And the debate continues.REGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09141872868930003563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-48519044903287413432009-12-07T11:45:56.765-05:002009-12-07T11:45:56.765-05:00As a shall-user, I detect that many non-users empl...As a shall-user, I detect that many non-users employ it in questions. Shall I get you some more coffee? Shall we dance? Even if they wouldn't say I shall get you some coffee, or We shall dance.Pickynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-81736401875211445472009-12-07T10:59:53.658-05:002009-12-07T10:59:53.658-05:00Everybody says that nobody in America uses shall a...Everybody says that nobody in America uses <i>shall</i> any more, but what do they say to offer to do something for people? I've said <i>Shall I get you some coffee?</i> my whole life.John Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452247999156925669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-71883947023397563622009-12-07T10:30:51.019-05:002009-12-07T10:30:51.019-05:00Thank you for an enjoyable review: I like Fowler a...Thank you for an enjoyable review: I like Fowler a lot. I don't always believe him; I don't always trust him or agree with him; but I do like him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051744883907551402.post-28777472239572430432009-12-07T09:39:47.119-05:002009-12-07T09:39:47.119-05:00Historic versions of texts are priceless. When a d...Historic versions of texts are priceless. When a dictionary for children excluded the word "ethic", I realized the value of my copy of Webster's Dictionary. The Entire work, Unabridged, In One Volume, Crown Quarto, 0f 1452 Pages, dated 1856. It is a beautiful book found in the basement of my grandparents home.<br /> <br />Thank you for reminding us of the beauty and value of our language.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com