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John Lewis Advert

40 replies

ChickyEgg · 11/05/2014 16:13

I like the new advert but the tagline 'For 150 years you've never stood still....' isn't sitting correctly with me. Shouldn't it read 'For 150 years you've haven't stood still'? Please put me out of my grammatical misery...

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Suddengeekgirl · 11/05/2014 16:32

You've haven't doesn't read right either to me Confused

you haven't might be better

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windchime · 11/05/2014 16:50

Got us talking though, which was probably their intention. What bugs me more is that they have changed their font to look like Johnson's Baby products.

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ChickyEgg · 11/05/2014 16:52

True windchime!

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CailinDana · 11/05/2014 17:27

"You've haven't"?? Is that a typo?

"You've never stood" is totally correct.

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ChickyEgg · 11/05/2014 18:11

But CallinDana say it out loud. It just doesn't feel right.

You could also add into the choices 'for 150 years you didn't stand still....'

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CailinDana · 11/05/2014 18:16

It's a bit mealy-mouthed alright. But then JL's other motto is "never knowingly undersold" which is another fine shitnugget of awfulness.

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mrsminiverscharlady · 11/05/2014 18:28

I think JL's version is better

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ChickyEgg · 11/05/2014 18:35

I also bloody hate Tesco's 'Every Little Helps' Grin

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squoosh · 11/05/2014 18:38

'Shouldn't it read 'For 150 years you've haven't stood still'?'

Errrr no, that would be the same as 'you have haven't stood still'.

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MaidOfStars · 11/05/2014 18:44

I've never been to Italy.

You've never been to my house.

What's the problem with I've never/you've never?

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tethersend · 11/05/2014 18:46

Either it's never, or it's for a 150 years?

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ChickyEgg · 11/05/2014 18:47

You have haven't stood still (if you extend it out) makes it seem worse. I thought I was quite good at this English lark too. What a wonderful language we have!! Grin

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ChickyEgg · 11/05/2014 18:48

Maid I get I have never or you have never. Just not have haven't together iyswim

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AlpacaYourThings · 11/05/2014 18:49

Agree with tethersend.

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Whitewaters · 11/05/2014 18:52

I agree it doesn't sound right, but the first thing that came into my head when I saw it was Never Knowingly Undersold, so could it be to tie in with that perhaps?

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Thymeout · 11/05/2014 18:52

It isn't a new font. It's one they used to use. At the end of the ad, they show the fonts they've used over the years. I'd guess it's only temporary, just for this anniversary.

OP I can't understand where you're getting the extra 'have' from. 'You've never stood still' equals 'You have never stood still'. Nothing wrong with it.

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ChickyEgg · 11/05/2014 18:52

Ooh I've just notice my typo in my op For 'For 150 years you've haven't stood still'? Should read For 150 years you haven't stood still' I'm confusing myself now!

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ChickyEgg · 11/05/2014 18:53

I think I might go for a lie down Grin

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AlpacaYourThings · 11/05/2014 19:00

It's the combination of '150 years' and 'never' in relation to 'you' (us) that doesn't make sense.

They have never stood still in their 150 years of existence. Fair enough.

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ChickyEgg · 11/05/2014 19:05

Sorry about the typo. I totally confused the issue by mistyping my idea of what I think it should be and ballsed that up. As Alpaca says, It's the combination of '150 years' and 'never' in relation to 'you' (us) that doesn't make sense.

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MaidOfStars · 11/05/2014 19:14

Perhaps, if they were keen to retain the 'never' theme, it might read better as:

In 150 years, you've never stood still.

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ChickyEgg · 11/05/2014 19:19

Yes that sounds better, MaidOfStars

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tethersend · 11/05/2014 19:30

I maintain that you either haven't stood still for 150 years, or you've never stood still.

'Never' means not happened since the beginning of time.

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AlpacaYourThings · 11/05/2014 19:41

Again, agree with tethersend.

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dementedma · 11/05/2014 20:19

Love the ad though!

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