Re: Non native English speaker is checking whether a phrasing should be filed a minor bug report.
- To: debian-user@lists.debian.org
- Subject: Re: Non native English speaker is checking whether a phrasing should be filed a minor bug report.
- From: "Cybe R. Wizard" <cybe_r_wizard@earthlink.net>
- Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:18:13 -0600
- Message-id: <[🔎] 20101130181813.0ddf3076@WizardsTower>
- In-reply-to: <20101130135144.GB2946@big.lan.gnu>
- References: <COL119-W150A62F9B29BDCB1A6B58DF5250@phx.gbl> <AANLkTimKEiXQ5fzGjw5SMZWGi_H4JspxYbtL4UJRJoo9@mail.gmail.com> <20101130135144.GB2946@big.lan.gnu>
On Tue, 30 Nov 2010 06:51:44 -0700
Paul E Condon <pecondon@mesanetworks.net> wrote:
> I am a native speaker of US English. I think the rules that I learned
> many years ago for the proper use of the word "it" are mostly violated
> by US native speakers of English. I was taught that "it" refers to
> the most recent prior noun. In this case the most recent prior noun is
> "memory". So if the rule that I learned in school is applied, the
> sentence makes no sense.
Having been taught the same rule, I also find the sentence nonsensical
and for that same reason. The misuse of pronouns to refer to other
than the most recent prior noun is a great grinding pain to me when
others so craft their language.
Cybe R. Wizard
--
"Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that
there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy with the proof.''
J. K. Galbraith
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