EDIT: you guys have dug up some truly horrible pisstakes :D Thank you for those.

To the serious folk - relax a little. This is Mildly Infuriating, not I'm dying if this doesn't stop. As a non-native speaker I was taught a certain way to use the language. The rules were not written down by me, nor the teachers - it was done by the native folk. Peace!

  • Pons_Aelius@kbin.social
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    4 months ago

    People thinking the English language is static and has to follow rules.

    This Is English, my friend. The top dog of non-proscriptive languages where meanings change over time and reflect current usage.

    Want to force everyone to follow the rules?

    Start speaking French.

    • HeartyBeast@kbin.social
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      4 months ago

      It is also a tool to allow common understanding between a diverse group of people. I’m not saying that less/fewer is an important rule. However ‘anything goes’ is going to have an impact on people’s understanding of bothe you and your message

      • Pons_Aelius@kbin.social
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        4 months ago

        I’m not saying anything goes either but if people around you use less and fewer interchangeably, there is no communication breakdown at all.

        Do you know the correct times to use practice vs practise?