a pedantic point for MNHQ

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

In My Registration, where you upload photos on to your profile, it says this:

"Enter a short name for this picture. After uploading, you can write a more full description."

Forgive me if I'm wrong on my comparatives but shouldn't it be 'a fuller description'? It just looks so wrong as it is.

Thanks

It's so wrong and you're so right. Can only presume that copy was written by a techy type! Will flag up to them and ask for it to be changed.

I still remember mother-in-laws-gate...

Techy types, eh? Pshaw!

So wrong? I'm not completely convinced.

Is there a rule that says that the periphrastic version can't be used with a one syllable adjective? The Oxford Companion to the English Language says "Many words that inflect can also be modified by more". It doesn't say all (though apparently The Columbia Guide to Standard American English does say all), but given that it says some can, why not "full"?

Or is it degrees of fullness to which you object? Presumably not if you're happy with fuller.

YetMoreTech, I think you may be correct in your lack of conviction. I think "more full" - while perhaps inelegant - is not incorrect.

I am convinced though that that Abby character might be in line for harsh words, what with her "Can only presume that copy was written by a techy type" comment. One can only presume she presumes this because the spelling is correct and there are no factual errors.

The rather prosaic explanation of all of this is that it used to say you "a more complete description" but that was too long for the space so I replaced "complete" with "full" leaving it as it is now.

And it's not often I'm drawn out of retirement

Wotcha Tech hows the big apple?

I LOVE it when techs talk pedantry

Why are all the techs so fantastic at grammar? Eh?

Private education

When you program you need to spell correctly and structure every statement in exactly the right way. It's a habit that's hard to break.

Are Tech and YetMoreTech really just the same person? Are you talking to yourself Tech?

My DP's does some programming, but I'm pretty sure he has never used the term 'periphrastic version' in conversation. (He also went to a private school.)

could be dominic whats there face back!

It's a Tech-off!

Hi Carmenere, New York is good. Getting a bit hot. I'm living in Brooklyn, which I really like. I wandered over last night to the promenade and watched the sun go down behind the skyscrapers across the river, while the wind fluttered the flags on the Brooklyn Bridge. New York is truly beautiful at times.

I'm off to Washington DC for the weekend, which I'm looking forward to very much. I haven't been there for about 20 years. I miss some stuff about home of course, but all in all it's going well.

What's he doing in NY? [Talking about Tech behind his back now]

What's all this private school nonsense? Pretty sure YMT and I are both ex-comp.

"Are Tech and YetMoreTech really just the same person?" Ohhhh purrr-leeeaze.

Read the thread!

Sounds gorgeous, I love Brooklyn, I spent a few lost days there in my youth glad it is going well

Their profiles are identically worded...well the 1st 2 sentences.

Oh God, I'm done for. Figured he'd never notice this what with him being on t'other side of the world and all.

You're so right though WelliesAndPyjamas, whatever those Techs say. As a famous literary type (name of Martin, son of Kingsley) was heard to say the other night : "The man is just so crude. The rhythm of his sentences!"

Well said