grammar question

[gtsecc]

Aren’t we supposed to say, first, second, third, rather than firstly, secondly, and thirdly?

 

[gitlance]

Aren’t we supposed to say, first, second, third, rather than firstly, secondly, and thirdly?

I used "first, second, third" in my last post.

 

[PaladinValer]

Dunno, but one of my friends is a grammar Nazi. I'll ask her

 

[AveMaria]

I'm a bit of a Grammar Fascist myself. . .


I was taught that both forms are technically correct although the -ly is considered by many to be superfluous.

There are 2 important things to remember, though:

* Pick one form and stick with it - ie, First, Second, Third, OR Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly.

* Bear in mind how ridiculous it may sound to say "And eleventhly. . . "

 

[RedneckAnglican]

don't look at me...I have trouble enough speaking without grunts...

 

[PaladinValer]

Grunts? Do you speak Dwarf or Klingon?

 

[RedneckAnglican]

Klingon...or whatever comes naturally before the first coffee of the day...

 

[gitlance]

Klingon...or whatever comes naturally before the first coffee of the day...

AMEN! I hear that. Coffee is God's little miracle panacea. Speaking of which...

 

[PaladinValer]

Coffee?

Gimme hot chocolate

 

[pmcleanj]

Aren’t we supposed to say, first, second, third, rather than firstly, secondly, and thirdly?

To be absolutely, technically, pompously correct:

"first", "second", "third" are adjectives; so if the list you are describing is a list of objects, you would use this form.

"firstly", "secondly", and "thirdly" are adverbs; so if the list you are describing is a list of actions or of adjectives, you would use this form.

"PaladinValer ate several members: first, AveMaria, second, benedictine, and third, RobNJ. Upon being eaten, AveMaria did several things: firstly, napped; secondly, screamed; and thirdly, gnawed her way out."

 

[PaladinValer]

The Queen Mum has such a colorful imagination...no wonder I like her

 

[AveMaria]

*collapsing into a pile of pretty giggling blonde curls*

 

[gitlance]

"PaladinValer ate several members: first, AveMaria, second, benedictine, and third, RobNJ. Upon being eaten, AveMaria did several things: firstly, napped; secondly, screamed; and thirdly, gnawed her way out."

Well, that is quite the lovely example you have given us. Hehehehehe.

 

[PaladinValer]

**Slays Gitlance**

**Delivers the corpse to Andy Broadley, the royal cook, with a note stating that this will be a part of the royal feast tomorrow**

There...I'm not breaking my Lenten vows

 

[RedneckAnglican]

To be absolutely, technically, pompously correct:

"first", "second", "third" are adjectives; so if the list you are describing is a list of objects, you would use this form.

"firstly", "secondly", and "thirdly" are adverbs; so if the list you are describing is a list of actions or of adjectives, you would use this form.

"PaladinValer ate several members: first, AveMaria, second, benedictine, and third, RobNJ. Upon being eaten, AveMaria did several things: firstly, napped; secondly, screamed; and thirdly, gnawed her way out."

next English class I take...I'm coming to you...

 

[marciebaby]

Whoa, you learn something new every day, don't you Glen?

 

[Brian Augustyn]

There are three points always worth considering when asking questions as to proper grammar, or anything proper, to be used in online communication.

1) Cherish clarity and brevity above all; use passion if so moved, spelling if you must. Grammar is just showing off.

2) At any given moment, your reader likely knows more about proper Klingon or Elvish grammar anyway, so why kill yourself?

C) There won't be a test on any of this.

Whatever you choose, consider consistancy.

But not too hard.

cheers,
Brian

 

[marciebaby]

While were at it, can someone explain the difference between lay and lie? I always forget which is which.

 

[gtsecc]

Lay is transitive - you are doing to something else.
Lie is reflexive - you are doing something yourself.

"I am laying in the sun," means I am being naughty in public.

"I am lying in the sun," means I am getting skin cancer.

 

[Mic]

Don't forget, though, that one of the forms of the verb "to lie" is "lay." (I've forgotten exactly which tense it is...past perfect, maybe...).

I lay in the sun for three hours.