There Their They're
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Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
Effect (n) = a result, consequence
Effect (v) = to bring about
Affect (n) = emotional content (used in literature, art, philosophy)
Affect (v) = to influence
I just did a bit of research in the OED. It seems that both affect and effect entered into English via French "effet," and Latin "effectus".
Interesting, it seems that over time, the "a-" of affect, affectionate, etc has evolved towards an emotional response, while the "e-" of effect, effective, etc has evolved towards the accomplishment of a task.
I would have guessed that using "effect" as a verb (e.g., "to effect change") was a recent innovation, similar to so many 20C verbifications of nouns, but it's actually older than Shakespeare.
Effect (v) = to bring about
Affect (n) = emotional content (used in literature, art, philosophy)
Affect (v) = to influence
I just did a bit of research in the OED. It seems that both affect and effect entered into English via French "effet," and Latin "effectus".
Interesting, it seems that over time, the "a-" of affect, affectionate, etc has evolved towards an emotional response, while the "e-" of effect, effective, etc has evolved towards the accomplishment of a task.
I would have guessed that using "effect" as a verb (e.g., "to effect change") was a recent innovation, similar to so many 20C verbifications of nouns, but it's actually older than Shakespeare.
lincoln
Bob Loudon (25)
Ok how about "while v whilst", the latter is supposedly archaic according to my Usage and Abusage text, but posters on the following forum disagree.
http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhileVsWhilst/vrpm/post.htm
http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhileVsWhilst/vrpm/post.htm
Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
Even though I frequently consult Fowler's, Strunk&White, and even Brewer's, I still think the complete OED has the most fun and illluminating (and historically grounded) discussion of words.
Actually, you guys could help me out. I'm working on something called the "Student Transition Team" at my uni, and I'm trying to invent the present indicative form of "transition." I mean, it has to be "transit", but do I really want to say, "we helped first year students transit to university"?
Actually, you guys could help me out. I'm working on something called the "Student Transition Team" at my uni, and I'm trying to invent the present indicative form of "transition." I mean, it has to be "transit", but do I really want to say, "we helped first year students transit to university"?
Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
Sounds like we're removalists. The "transition" program is about getting them up to speed with foundational skills such as reading, writing, thinking, and using the library instead of Wikipedia. More and more undergraduates are starting with (what we call) low academic cultural capital. That is, they can't spell, don't read, and have never borrowed a book from a library.
Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
... and then they graduate as journalists:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/c...enty20-world-cup/story-fn67w6pa-1226262559781
You don't "hone in" on anything. You either "hone your skills" or "home in on a target."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/c...enty20-world-cup/story-fn67w6pa-1226262559781
You don't "hone in" on anything. You either "hone your skills" or "home in on a target."
Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
Partridge is an odd book, in my opinion. I own it, but got out of the habit of using (or abusing) it since the answers weren't satisying. And really, since there is no right or wrong answer, what you really want is a satisfying answer.
Jnor
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Aren't these the people who should be collecting my garbage, rolling my cigars and shining my shoes
Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
Mining boom notwithstanding, the Australian economy is continually shifting from primary and secondary industries to tertiary industry (the knowledge economy). Kids that 20 years ago would have stayed on the farm or worked in a factory are now trying to get white-collar employment. I don't mind teaching them, but we do need to get them up to speed on a few basics.
suckerforred
Chilla Wilson (44)
Starting to educate them in Primary and high school would be a good start. I got in trouble a couple of years ago as I told the local school principles (or is it principals) that I would not take another school based trainee as it was not my place to teach them to read write and add up. If I wanted to do that I would have become a teacher. Good luck Scarf.
Practice & practise then same, but 'ce' english spelling, 'se' American. As far as I know.
Defence definitely right. But again I think that defense is creeping in from America. Possibly from defensive.
How about: "DUMB FUCK UNI 101"
Jnor
Peter Fenwicke (45)
I think that'd be just the thing...
I gone to skool, nek minnit...
Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
We can't all go to Oxbridge, Gagger.
In my area of expertise, it's generally academics from small, new, regional universities that are writing interesting stuff and academics from the sandstone universities that are reproducing the status quo.
In cultural studies, the most interesting unis in Australia are Griffith, UTS, and UWS. The best creative writing programs in the world are places like East Anglia and Syracuse. Of course, you might regard the humanities as a waste of time completely, but I don't.
And what you look for in a student isn't their current ability, it's their willingness to learn. You want to be able to go home at the end of the day thinking that you had a meaningful exchange with some humans, and I get that more often from first generation uni students than anyone else. I wouldn't swap my job for one at a sandstone university for anything.
In my area of expertise, it's generally academics from small, new, regional universities that are writing interesting stuff and academics from the sandstone universities that are reproducing the status quo.
In cultural studies, the most interesting unis in Australia are Griffith, UTS, and UWS. The best creative writing programs in the world are places like East Anglia and Syracuse. Of course, you might regard the humanities as a waste of time completely, but I don't.
And what you look for in a student isn't their current ability, it's their willingness to learn. You want to be able to go home at the end of the day thinking that you had a meaningful exchange with some humans, and I get that more often from first generation uni students than anyone else. I wouldn't swap my job for one at a sandstone university for anything.
It is a good point you make, Scarfy.
In my game, there are brilliant rote-learners a-plenty. Unfortunately, in my particular area, what you really want to see is someone who has common-sense, and is willing and able to be taught. Sure, there is a huge amount of data to be learnt - anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgical techniques etc..., but the application of the knowledge is the key. I'd rather have a junior trainee with a good attitude, than a more experienced one with ingrained issues who won't be taught. An ATAR of 99.9 is no guarantee of that.
That said, the atrocious language skill of many I meet in the workplace is mind-boggling.
In my game, there are brilliant rote-learners a-plenty. Unfortunately, in my particular area, what you really want to see is someone who has common-sense, and is willing and able to be taught. Sure, there is a huge amount of data to be learnt - anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgical techniques etc..., but the application of the knowledge is the key. I'd rather have a junior trainee with a good attitude, than a more experienced one with ingrained issues who won't be taught. An ATAR of 99.9 is no guarantee of that.
That said, the atrocious language skill of many I meet in the workplace is mind-boggling.
Apologies Scarfie, I wasn't trying to make any point like that
I should have written - UNI 101 FOR DUMB FUCKS - to be more precise!
On a serious note, I'm not sure the situation in Aus, but there's a whole uni industry here marketing seemingly posh pommy degrees to o/s students from the sub-continent. Selling the western dream
The ugly truth is that these degrees plus the provenance of the students will never get them decent jobs here in a million years - put a job on a jobs website and you'll get swamped with CVs from India and Pakistan. I'm sure a good chunk of these kids would be bright and hard working as well.
And it's not just kids from O/S. The 'innits' from London are equally unemployable, but are getting sold these degrees and MBAs all the same
I should have written - UNI 101 FOR DUMB FUCKS - to be more precise!
On a serious note, I'm not sure the situation in Aus, but there's a whole uni industry here marketing seemingly posh pommy degrees to o/s students from the sub-continent. Selling the western dream
The ugly truth is that these degrees plus the provenance of the students will never get them decent jobs here in a million years - put a job on a jobs website and you'll get swamped with CVs from India and Pakistan. I'm sure a good chunk of these kids would be bright and hard working as well.
And it's not just kids from O/S. The 'innits' from London are equally unemployable, but are getting sold these degrees and MBAs all the same
L
luikang
Guest
This reminds me of a revelation I had a few years ago, after getting my first CD-ROM drive. I'd manage to misplace a CD containing a multimedia encyclopedia and eventually found it sitting on the floor under my desk. I realized then that never before in human history had it been possible to lose an entire 28 volume encyclopedia by dropping it behind a piece of furniture. Now that's what I call progress