This is wrong, right? But why?

[onebatmother]

It's a system-generated email from Photobox:

"Hi,

Have a look at my album I have shared with you on PhotoBox."

Leaving aside the thorny issue of whether one can have "shared" something with someone unilaterally, and whether you can share something "on" something intangible rather than, say, a lawn or a table, shouldn't it read:

"Have a look at the album I have shared with you on Photobox."

Hello dears.
I ed at your Wittgensteinian (probably v tidy, object-less but fact-filled) broom cupboard, Threadie.

Do you really not like Swedes, Swedes? Shall we all try and think of something that's a bit more fitting?

I'm happy with Swedes. But I can't deny it. I did like lording it there for a while. It wasn't necessarily the way everyone bowed and doffed their mooncups when I landed on a thread, but they way they all fell silent waiting to hear my newly clipped vawels. Similar to buying all one's toiletries from Jermyn Street instead of from Superdrug.

Perhaps I should cancel the Acquascutum riding coat and plus fours?

No, Swedes, no need to cancel! You need only ask your tailor to adjust the redingcote to enswathe Swedes more ...Anglo-Saxon figure.

It's not actually very nice when people doff their mooncups at you. That's why I dropped the 'Enterobius'.

I'm having fun with German broom cupboards now, relying on unjust national stereotypes for comedy effect. "The cupboard is the totality of brooms not mops. Please respect the ontological taxonomy pasted on the inside of the door."

lol bat. Is swedes more of an apple or a pear?

Returning to the original sentence for a moment. It's wrong because it changes tense mid sentence (Have a look (present or future) I have shared (past). It should say:

I'd like to share my Photobox album with you.

Because it hasn't been shared until the photos are accessed.

I'm much more interested in Threadworm's Besenschrank.

Ah! You see! Put it in German and even a broom cupboard seems profound and alienated and Kafka-esque.

You are werry clever ladeez

Swedes, there's something in that. So, to begin to conclude, perhaps I should email Photobox's head office, offering this:

"Hi,

Have a look at the album which I would like to share with you through Photobox."

I will do it you know. That's the kind of crazy batmo' I am.

Threadworm I'm looking forward to your new book: Threadworm - Philosophical Thoughts from Her Broom Cupboard (Threadworm - Philosophen Gedanken aus ihrem Besenschrank)

Please could I order an advance copy in German. Have you thought about the book's jacket?

Yes, threadie - an action-shot or soft-focus and styled, for your photo?

"Philosophen Gedanken aus ihrem Besenschrank"

-- brilliant. Here is my pic for the cover

hmm it is all in the tense isn't it

it depends if the action to share takes place with the sharer or the sharee

eg if I leave my dh a piece of chocolate cake to eat when he comes home from work, does the sharing take place when I put it on a plate for him or when he eats it, which could be hours later?

Bat: yes, email Photobox as you say. Or say

'Have a look at our pedantry which we would like to share with you through Mumsnet" -- with a link to this thread.

it is made difficult by the fact that sharing cannot take place at the same time

unless of course your friend comes round with her laptop and actively shares it

which I doubt you are enthusiastic about by the sounds of it

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Crikey you've lost weight Threadie.

Will it be a hefty tome, Threadie, or a slim volume, bearing in mind that "Was sich überhaupt sagen lässt, lässt sich klar sagen; und wovon man nicht reden kann, darüber muss man schweigen."

Cappie. I can imagine little worse.

Well, perhaps Threadworm's link is marginally worse.

Okay, so it would be worse than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, but better than a poke in the eye with a threadworm.

Indeed it will be infinitely slim.

oh I'm off now if you're going to start talking in some secret language

that slightly too loud guffaw was at Threadworm's self-portrait btw.

OBM - Yes, do email Photobox Head office. If you don't get a satisfactory response, nominate them for a Plain English Campaign award.

Capp - I think sharing requires a willing donee. I think sharing is an offer which requires implied or communicated acceptance. Acceptance must be anticipated. If you know your husband wants the cake then you are sharing it with him the moment you cut him a slice. If you are not sure he wants or even likes coconut cake, you are offering to share it with him by leaving him a slice.

Does your publisher still have offices in Worms?

I believe they treat Umlautphobia at the Spa Angst.

Yes, that delightful Jung man, iirc.

Cappie! Stay - we have moved on from German, which only Swedes appears to actually speak. (I cut and paste from bumblefish or whatever it is - remarkably successfully I think)