Re: Protein source for breakfast other than eggs, meat, or protein powder

On Tue, 3 Mar 2009 07:41:44 +0000 (UTC), spope33@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Steve
Pope) shouted from the highest rooftop:

sf <sf.usenet@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

"Steve Pope" <spope33@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

So whereas an American might say "Dire Straits is performing
at RFK Stadium" a Brit would say "Dire Straits are performing
at Wembley".

That's an easy one. Dire Straits is ONE (single) rock group. So,
"is" is appropriate. Dire Straits *is* performing.

That would be the American usage, yes.

I think you are confusing "common usage" with "correct."

"Usage" can be the lowest common denominator, like a text message or
the abandoning of spelling, commas and apostrophes by the "language
challenged" products of modern education's social engineers.

A good example of this dumbing down is: "between you and I." Only a
total ignoramus would say, "between I and you" or "give it to I, me
want it." But "between you and I" is in common use throughout the
British media (including The Times, The Guardian and the BBC).

Another example is the mispronunciation of words like vulnerable (now
"vun-rah-bul") and jewellery (now jool-ree), etc, etc. It may be
common, but it sure as hell isn't correct.

"Correct" is the standard by which the language is celebrated,
practiced and preserved, not that by which it's brought down to that
lowest common denominator..

Treating a singular, non-personal, common noun, such as a company, a
university, a group, a club or a team, etc, as if it were a plural,
personal noun is simply not correct English, regardless of its common
usage.

"I trust the evidence-based medicine
project at Oxford, who say it may make a significant (but small)
difference ... "

The subject is "project", which is a collection of people.
This is what leads to "who say...".

"Project" is an "it" not a they or who.

I bet they think of themselves as a they.

Of course "they" think of "themselves" as "they."

The point is, do "they" think of themselves as the project or the
project as themselves?

I bet they don't say, "The project are going well and the team are
very proud of them." It sounds equally silly in the singular: "The
project is going well and the team is very proud of her or him (take
your pick)."

Not convinced. Then how about: "The project who are up for an award
are very proud of themselves."

As "sf" so rightly pointed out, a "project" is an "it."

"The project is up for an award and the team members are very proud of
themselves."


Another example, in the U.S. you'd say, "Bank of America
is in merger talks..." but in the U.K. you'd say "Barclays are
in merger talks...", as in the following:

http://www.prlog.org/10174314-atlas-equities-barclays-shares-surge-on-equity-merger-talks.html

That still doesn't make it correct.

If it can be construed as a collection of people, it's likely
to be a plural subject in British usage. I do not know the exceptions
or limitations on this but it's extremely common and I have
seen no evidence that the more American usage would be
considered correct in the U.K. And, I'm seeing some evidence
of drift-over of the U.K. usage to the U.S.

Again ... common usage does NOT make it correct. It simply makes it
"common."

Is Chelsea a place or a person?

It's a football club, therefore a group of people, in this
context.

A "gang" is not plural. A "club" is not plural. A "team" is not
plural. A "group" is not plural. And a "project" is not plural in ANY
context.

A remedial English course might help ...



--

una cerveza mas por favor ...

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