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Pedants' corner
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California Dreaming

13 replies

branflake81 · 20/05/2008 20:25

Am I the only one who feels that really the line would be far better phrased "I'd be safe and warm, if I were in LA" (i.e. not "was").

Perhaps I should release a pedants' version......

OP posts:
JackieNo · 20/05/2008 20:28

Oh yes, but eclipsed, for me, by 'and in this ever-changing world in which we live in', in 'Live and let die'.

KarenThirl · 21/05/2008 06:39

I think it's 'In this ever-changing world in which we're living'.

It used to bug me too till one day I heard it differently.

PortAndLemon · 21/05/2008 07:44

Oh yes, on "if I was in LA". I inwardly "Grrr" at it every time I hear it. I agree with KarenThirl on "worls in which we're living" though.

asicsgirl · 21/05/2008 08:28

isn't it 'if this ever-changing world...'? the next line is 'makes you give in and cry'

add this to KarenThirl's version and bingo, only one 'in'

JackieNo · 21/05/2008 12:09

Thank you all - you have saved me from a lifetime of cringing at it. Not that you hear it very often, but still.

anorak · 21/05/2008 12:16

Sometimes bad grammar is used in songs because the right grammar sounds wrong IYSWIM. It has to flow and sound rhythmic.

totalmisfit · 21/05/2008 12:17

why should it be 'were' and not 'was'? please explain!

(sorry for being a grammatical eejit)

SenoraPostrophe · 21/05/2008 12:21

totalmisfit - because "I were" is the subjunctive - it's used with "if" and "I wish" (eg if I were a rich man; I wish I were .."

However, the subjunctive is used less and less frequently in English, especially in speech and I would argue that "if I was" is now just as correct as "if I were". In a few decades, "If I were" will be archaic and wrong (like for example, "thou" is now).

PuppyMonkey · 21/05/2008 12:25

Thank goodness for... If I were a Carpenter, then...

Sanguine · 21/05/2008 14:41

While we're on songs, this has always bugged me:

"Because you, and only you alone, can build a bridge across the stream..." - M people

There are others as well, but I can't remember them, and I have to go to a swimming lesson now.

asicsgirl · 21/05/2008 15:26

ugh yes agree about the tautology sanguine!!

i remember a kd lang song that said something about 'my heart unthaws', when she meant 'thaws'.

PortAndLemon · 21/05/2008 18:40

I suppose that potentially you could be the only person who could build the bridge and be incapable of doing it if anyone else is around...

asicsgirl · 21/05/2008 18:52

very clever portandlemon [admiring emoticon]

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