To shout “No! The Queen was not sat alone!”

[Saddlesore]

I have just been reading some of the online coverage of Prince Philip’s funeral, from some pretty blue-chip websites, and some of them say “The Queen was sat alone...” This is like nails down a blackboard for me (along with “I was stood...”). Surely the Queen was sitting, or was seated?
Of course, there’s an outside chance that the writer made a spelling error and meant to say “The Queen was sad...” - but that goes without saying.

I generally think that correcting someone’s spelling or grammar makes the corrector sound really pathetic and rude. The correction is much worse than the mistake. I also find that the self appointed grammar police often make mistakes themselves

The OP was highlighting a mistake in several online news reports. It wasn't personal but did point to a growing trend of sloppy use of English in a situation where accurate information is required.

If they're a bit slapdash about English,how careful are they with their facts?

Bollocks! It’s definitely knob- as in slang term for penis. I know because it was written on the side of the railway lines in graffiti for years!

😂

Hmm. English grammar is like our constitution - no universal, written rules fixed forever in stone, just interpretations which people argue over and which change and develop over time. “Was sat” is now accepted usage, so suck it up, pedants! This is something up with which you must put .

Isn't the meaning of sat and was sitting different? Sat or was sat implies being put there by someone eg 'I sat my divorced parents at opposite ends of the room' , or 'In line with COVID restrictions the Queen was sat on her own'. Although in the last sentence 'was seated' would be better

Please can I present you with this........

If you like

If they're a bit slapdash about English,how careful are they with their facts?

Does anyone really think the media print accurate facts about the royals?

Sorry to ask but what if she was directed to sit alone as per the funeral arrangements.
Maybe COVID/protocol/ Philip’s instructions/their Royal team dictated where she sat.

I’ll never qualify for pedants’ plaid.

@namesnamesnamesnames

The Queen sat The Queen was sitting

I know which sounds much nicer and more correct.

I like The Queen was seated, but that implies she had no choice in the matter.

They're both correct!

What an extraordinary reaction.

@Saddlesore

I have just been reading some of the online coverage of Prince Philip’s funeral, from some pretty blue-chip websites, and some of them say “The Queen was sat alone...” This is like nails down a blackboard for me (along with “I was stood...”). Surely the Queen was sitting, or was seated? Of course, there’s an outside chance that the writer made a spelling error and meant to say “The Queen was sad...” - but that goes without saying.

I’m with you OP, 110%.

As the former First Lady of the USA said we should all

“Be Best”.

@ForgedInFire

campion that's why I don't post there, I could care less

It's actually "couldn't", not "could".

Sorry.

@Tavelo

I thought this was going to be something poignant about how we are with her in spirit but alas

I thought along those lines too.

She wasn't alone, she was with her family.

@UntamedWisteria

I withdraw my comment, having checked a couple of US newspaper websites, thanks for pointing out my mistake WaronWomen.

No worries. Australia, on the other hand, has punctuation outside the speech marks. I had no idea!

It appears anyone can be a "journalist" these days. It grates on me to read incorrect grammar too.

Language evolves.

@HarrietHardy

I'm getting so fed up with all this podiatry.

People do need to treat their feet if they're having issues, Harriet. Not fair to get fed up with it.

Sorry.

Even basic typos get through to publication these days. Newspapers have cut back staff and dumbed-down to save money.

@WhereYouLeftIt

Or, Pedants' corner.

Between this thread and the housekeeping tips one (especially post about using wheelie bins indoors, as baskets are too small), I have had a few laughs this morning.

[quote FontyMcFontface]PastMyBestBeforeDate

grammarist.com/homophones/knob-vs-nob/[/quote]
A knob may be a small, rounded protuberance on any item.
Sounds like a perfectly acceptable description of the male appendage to me.

@somersault

What an untasteful thread.

Distasteful thread

@Kitkatchunkyplease

I of You ofst He she oft We offen They offenen

Perfect! Full marks!

We are ofing....

Nobs are poshos, surely; hence 'hob-nobbing'?

Knobs are found on (and in) Cabinets.

It appears anyone can be a "journalist" these days. It grates on me to read incorrect grammar too.

Indeed. Especially the online editions. I saw one last week that referred to a recipe using 'self-raising flower'.