To wish people wouldn't write 'text' when they mean 'texted'?

[SadAboutTheBoy]

Sorry, but it makes my teeth itch.

My sister text me to say she was late

I text the other mum to tell her..

He text me to tell me it was over..

It's texted FFS!

(And it's packed lunch, not 'pack' lunch BTW)

Abra1d - and I've just inferred that you don't know the accepted meaning of "inferred". (or were you quoting someone else?).

Sorry, I realise you were quoting someone else!

It's nowhere near as big an annoyance as the incorrect spelling of the words lose and loose. I struggle to understand why that one gives so many people so much trouble.

I used minor sentences, Dad. They are perfectly correct in an informal situation such as this! Clutching at straws, much!?

What comes after "firstly" and " secondly, Dad? Erm...it is possible to indicate multiple reasons in other ways.

As for using "I text..." or the apparently newfangled "chest of draws", I may start using those when I am feeling a bit informal-ish-y.

nina - I used minor sentences, Dad. They are perfectly correct in an informal situation such as this! Clutching at straws, much!?

Which is why if you read a bit more carefully what I said, I wrote this: So, you made a style choice there to be more colloquial - a perfectly correct style choice, in my view, for an internet forum.

So, we agree that it was perfectly correct, but my point was that it's an example of style choice (for an informal situation, as you say).

That's why I was questioning you being sniffy at the idea of "style choice" - it doesn't mean that "anything goes". For example, I agree that "chest of draws" is wrong (until the day that "draws" becomes an acceptable word for the pull-out things you put stuff in!).

What is wrong with "He wrote me"

It implies he wrote the word 'me', not 'he wrote to me'

sashh - but I bet in context, it doesn't cause confusion. After all, we say "he sent me", and we don't get confused over whether I was being sent or something was being sent to me, because the rest of the sentence will make it clear.

I do read carefully, Dad. It kinda goes with the territory.

rolls eyes big time

I'm surprised you're okay with 'kinda'.

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HTH

Okay, be honest, guys. How many of you have had the irony bypass op?

So tetchy.

I do read carefully, Dad. It kinda goes with the territory.

Okay, so reading wasn't the problem, so maybe it's logical thinking that's missing from your territory. (It's vitally important in mine).

And I had plenty of irony in my cerealy this morning, thanks.

Do you think your use of "first" and "second" instead of the correct firstly and secondly is because you don't know any better?

Charmant, nina!

I'm Australian, where 'first' and 'second' are preferred to 'firstly' and 'secondly', and in informal writing I often revert to my native style.

That said, most British English style manuals I've worked to in my many years here are ambiguous on this point and emphasise the need for consistency rather than identifying a 'correct' option. Which style manual are you working to that leads you to 'judge' on this, out of interest?

Now, back to you. Do you think that your tactic of criticising the spelling, grammar or style of other posters rather than responding to what they're actually saying is an effective way of engaging in a conversation or furthering shared understanding of an issue?

Oh, and one more question: do you think your description of 'first' and 'second' as incorrect (rather than an acceptable style choice you don't happen to like) is because you don't know any better?

It is not an issue, it is a point of correct usage @ JassyRadlett

Everyone knows Australians don't use proper English, no?

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Irony and cerealy? Oh that is really funny.

It is not an issue, it is a point of correct usage @ JassyRadlett*

• Citation needed.

Jassy - I wouldn't bother: nina obviously has access to some tablet of stone that says only "firstly... secondly..." is correct, so there's no point offering an alternative.

Everyone knows Australians don't use proper English, no?

Possibly, for some very defined and ungrammatical values of 'everyone' (though my ex-award-winning British journalist boss seeks out Australian hires because apparently we are consistently better writers at graduate and early career level).

But what we do have is manners.

Jassy - I wouldn't bother: nina obviously has access to some tablet of stone that says only "firstly... secondly..." is correct, so there's no point offering an alternative

To be fair, actually referring to a reference book before making pronouncements on correct informal style is such a drag.

Jassy - in my head, I hear your final "drag" with a wonderful drawn-out Australian accent - perfect!