For all intensive purposes...

[Perknose]

The dumbing down of English usage is an unchecked kudzu vine choking clear communication.

Let's take a momentary look at the word 'momentary'. It means "for a brief while" NOT "in a brief while". So, when sports announcers say, "We'll be back momentarily" they mean to say that they'll be back soon. In fact, they are not stating when they'll be back at all, but rather that whenever they do come back (it could be next week), they will only be back for a very short time, i.e., momentarily.

Another efflorescence of ignorance currently in full bloom is the almost universal use of "close proximity", or "near nearness". Proximate means close. Close closeness is "repetitively redundant", and is being looked into at the highest levels of the Department of Redundancy Department.

Lastly, I look down on the "very unique". There are no degrees of uniqueness.

You're either one of a kind or two unique for words.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Perknose
The dumbing down of English usage is an unchecked kudzu vine choking clear communication.

Let's take a momentary look at the word 'momentary'. It means "for a brief while" NOT "in a brief while". So, when sports announcers say, "We'll be back momentarily" they mean to say that they'll be back soon. In fact, they are not stating when they'll be back at all, but rather that whenever they do come back (it could be next week), they will only be back for a very short time, i.e., momentarily.

Another efflorescence of ignorance currently in full bloom is the almost universal use of "close proximity", or "near nearness". Proximate means close. Close closeness is "repetitively redundant", and is being looked into at the highest levels of the Department of Redundancy Department.

Lastly, I look down on the "very unique". There are no degrees of uniqueness.

You're either one of a kind or two unique for words.

Momentary != Momentarily

Main Entry: mo·men·tary
Pronunciation: 'mO-m&n-"ter-E
Function: adjective
1 a : continuing only a moment : FLEETING b : having a very brief life
2 : operative or recurring at every moment
synonym see TRANSIENT
- mo·men·tar·i·ness noun

Main Entry: mo·men·tar·i·ly
Pronunciation: "mO-m&n-'ter-&-lE
Function: adverb
1 : for a moment
2 archaic : INSTANTLY
3 : at any moment : in a moment

ZV

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Perknose
The dumbing down of English usage is an unchecked kudzu vine choking clear communication.

Let's take a momentary look at the word 'momentary'. It means "for a brief while" NOT "in a brief while". So, when sports announcers say, "We'll be back momentarily" they mean to say that they'll be back soon. In fact, they are not stating when they'll be back at all, but rather that whenever they do come back (it could be next week), they will only be back for a very short time, i.e., momentarily.

Another efflorescence of ignorance currently in full bloom is the almost universal use of "close proximity", or "near nearness". Proximate means close. Close closeness is "repetitively redundant", and is being looked into at the highest levels of the Department of Redundancy Department.

Lastly, I look down on the "very unique". There are no degrees of uniqueness.

You're either one of a kind or two unique for words.

Momentary != Momentarily

Main Entry: mo·men·tary
Pronunciation: 'mO-m&n-"ter-E
Function: adjective
1 a : continuing only a moment : FLEETING b : having a very brief life
2 : operative or recurring at every moment
synonym see TRANSIENT
- mo·men·tar·i·ness noun

Main Entry: mo·men·tar·i·ly
Pronunciation: "mO-m&n-'ter-&-lE
Function: adverb
1 : for a moment
2 archaic : INSTANTLY
3 : at any moment : in a moment

ZV

As is often the case, it is only through widespread incorrect use of the word momentarily that has changed its accepted meaning to IN a short while.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
[Main Entry: mo·men·tar·i·ly
Pronunciation: "mO-m&n-'ter-&-lE
Function: adverb
1 : for a moment
2 archaic : INSTANTLY
3 : at any moment : in a moment

ZV

As is often the case, it is only through widespread incorrect use of the word momentarily that has changed its accepted meaning to IN a short while.

Which is of course why the archaic meaning is "instantly". If widespread incorrect use had changed it, the archaeic form would still list it as a synonym of "momentary". Since the archaic form agrees with the modern form, there is not likely to have been a divergance from the word's original meaning.

ZV

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Perknose
The dumbing down of English usage is an unchecked kudzu vine choking clear communication.

Let's take a momentary look at the word 'momentary'. It means "for a brief while" NOT "in a brief while". So, when sports announcers say, "We'll be back momentarily" they mean to say that they'll be back soon. In fact, they are not stating when they'll be back at all, but rather that whenever they do come back (it could be next week), they will only be back for a very short time, i.e., momentarily.

Another efflorescence of ignorance currently in full bloom is the almost universal use of "close proximity", or "near nearness". Proximate means close. Close closeness is "repetitively redundant", and is being looked into at the highest levels of the Department of Redundancy Department.

Lastly, I look down on the "very unique". There are no degrees of uniqueness.

You're either one of a kind or two unique for words.

Momentary != Momentarily

Main Entry: mo·men·tary
Pronunciation: 'mO-m&n-"ter-E
Function: adjective
1 a : continuing only a moment : FLEETING b : having a very brief life
2 : operative or recurring at every moment
synonym see TRANSIENT
- mo·men·tar·i·ness noun

Main Entry: mo·men·tar·i·ly
Pronunciation: "mO-m&n-'ter-&-lE
Function: adverb
1 : for a moment
2 archaic : INSTANTLY
3 : at any moment : in a moment

ZV

My rant stands. Read it.

'Momentarily" is the adverbial form of 'momentary'. BOTH, by your stated definitions, refer to the LENGTH of time within an occurence, i.e. (and as I stated) FOR a moment. Announcers misuse it to describe WHEN they'll be back, i.e., (and as I stated) IN a moment.

Momentary and it's adverbial form never refer to how SOON something will happen -- the misuse I point out -- but only how LONG it will occur WHENEVER it does occur.

Got it yet?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Gurck
Sheesh, you people.. You're priorities are out of whack, your getting mad at the dumbest things. Do people who write at a second grade level really mean less? If you can understand what their saying, then there point is getting across. I don't see the point in going they're. To many people can't spell for you too make a big deal of it, two the point of a post like this, even.

It's a minor thing for me, they're not really doing it on purpose. ppl dat talk lyke dis, wif lotsa u's and ur's, on the other hand, are doing it on purpose and should be shot, imesho.

You're bad at it yourself, because it's a minor thing to you. Because you're bad at it you like to pretend it's a minor thing of importance for everyone else. Send an email out to several people in your company and if it's rife with grammatical errors they'll quickly have a baseline on your level of education. Nobody gets to CEO of a real company if they're spelling words like rediculous and misusing you're/your. Have fun being a bottom feeder

 

[Perknose]

Which is of course why the archaic meaning is "instantly". If widespread incorrect use had changed it, the archaeic form would still list it as a synonym of "momentary". Since the archaic form agrees with the modern form, there is not likely to have been a divergance from the word's original meaning.

ZV

Wrong on two levels. Announcers (mis)use it to mean SOON, never INSTANTLY. They are NOT referring back to this archaic meaning.

Moreover, you will find that even the archaic meaning INSTANTLY also refers to how LONG the event is, not and never WHEN. My distinction stands.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Perknose
My rant stands. Read it.

'Momentarily" is the adverbial form of 'momentary'. BOTH, by your stated definitions, refer to the LENGTH of time within an occurence, i.e. (and as I stated) FOR a moment. Announcers misuse it to describe WHEN they'll be back, i.e., (and as I stated) IN a moment.

Momentary and it's adverbial form never refer to how SOON something will happen -- the misuse I point out -- but only how LONG it will occur WHENEVER it does occur.

Got it yet?

Yeah, the inclusion of the archaic definition of "instantly" by Meriam Webster threw me. I still contend that, if meant as a synonym of "instantly", the term "momentarily" can be accurate. I can't find a problem with the phrase, "We will be back instantly." Of course, the chances of the announcers actually knowing that there is an archaic definition that marks the word as being synonymous with "instantly" are pretty small.

I thought that "instantly" meant "in an instant"?

ZV

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteve

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: loki8481
it's a moo point.
/joey

Rofl. 5 points.

Shut up, moron, everyone knows it's a mute point.

Whoops, I posted too soon.

Don't worry about it, ShotgunSteve posted without reading the thread either

I did read it, I was building on the joke. Check your sarcasm meter, I think the batteries are dead.

(In case you're confused, the proper word is moot.)

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Perknose
My rant stands. Read it.

'Momentarily" is the adverbial form of 'momentary'. BOTH, by your stated definitions, refer to the LENGTH of time within an occurence, i.e. (and as I stated) FOR a moment. Announcers misuse it to describe WHEN they'll be back, i.e., (and as I stated) IN a moment.

Momentary and it's adverbial form never refer to how SOON something will happen -- the misuse I point out -- but only how LONG it will occur WHENEVER it does occur.

Got it yet?

Yeah, the inclusion of the archaic definition of "instantly" by Meriam Webster threw me. I still contend that, if meant as a synonym of "instantly", the term "momentarily" can be accurate. I can't find a problem with the phrase, "We will be back instantly." Of course, the chances of the announcers actually knowing that there is an archaic definition that marks the word as being synonymous with "instantly" are pretty small.

I thought that "instantly" meant "in an instant"?

ZV

Funny thing about grammar threads is that those in the know can all agree upon some basic things, like when to use chose or choose, but after that things get into just as much a debate as whether to use anti-seize on spark plug threads or not (kind of like how all mechanics agree that you should change your oil, but beyond that good luck getting an agreement)

 

[Zenmervolt]

Yeah, "instantly" is synonymous with "immediately".

ZV

 

[MaxDSP]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
let's take this discussion offline, shall we?

DIE!

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Yeah, "instantly" is synonymous with "immediately".

ZV

An example of the paucity of info in any one dictionary. Many people reading 'instantly' as 'imediately' will only think of it in terms of WHEN:

"When are we going to leave, Willis? Immediately."

Yet 'instantly' does have the older, even archaic meaning related not to WHEN but to duration, HOW LONG: "in an instant", "in a flash". It is so close to the WHEN part of 'immediately' that many cannot see the subtle difference, but it is there:

"The flash happened instantly, some had turned away and never saw it at all."

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Yeah, "instantly" is synonymous with "immediately".

ZV

An example of the paucity of info in any one dictionary. Many people reading 'instantly' as 'imediately' will only think of it in terms of WHEN:

"When are we going to leave, Willis? Immediately."

Yet 'instantly' does have the older, even archaic meaning related not to WHEN but to duration, HOW LONG: "in an instant", "in a flash". It is so close to the WHEN part of 'immediately' that many cannot see the subtle difference, but it is there:

"The flash happened instantly, some had turned away and never saw it at all."

This is precisely why I want a copy of a properly prescriptive dictionary someday. Thanks much for the information. Shame that the OED is so bloody expensive.

ZV

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: gsaldivar
I agree.

Whenever I see the phrase "intensive purposes", I can't help but think of how unread and undereducated that person is.

Hukked on Fonix iz gud 4 me




Sysadmin

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Yeah, "instantly" is synonymous with "immediately".

ZV

An example of the paucity of info in any one dictionary. Many people reading 'instantly' as 'imediately' will only think of it in terms of WHEN:

"When are we going to leave, Willis? Immediately."

Yet 'instantly' does have the older, even archaic meaning related not to WHEN but to duration, HOW LONG: "in an instant", "in a flash". It is so close to the WHEN part of 'immediately' that many cannot see the subtle difference, but it is there:

"The flash happened instantly, some had turned away and never saw it at all."

This is precisely why I want a copy of a properly prescriptive dictionary someday. Thanks much for the information. Shame that the OED is so bloody expensive.

ZV

Yeah, though even the OED is not the be all and end all. I got a promo version for joining a book club back in the '70's. The pages were reduced to four to a page, and the whole thing was contained in two largish tomes, complete with a magnifying glass.

The word 'empathy' was not in there!:shocked:

I eventually gave it to a friend who had long lusted after it during a move.

No one dictionary, even the OED, is going to have it all.

 

[oboeguy]

Enough arguing, guys. The hole idea is four everybuddy to bee on the same page.

 

[NoReMoRsE]

Everyone is getting they're chance too speak.

some can't
but y some can?

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: NoReMoRsE
Everyone is getting they're chance too speak.

some can't
but y some can?

Note to self: Start thread with title "Two many things too do this weekend" a month from now.
Watch the grammar police come into the thread in hoards, forgetting their secondary duty as repost nazis.

 

[FoBoT]

for all in tents and porpoises


those that live in tents and those fishy mammals, others need not apply

 

[Perknose]

Watch the grammar police come into the thread in hoards, forgetting their secondary duty as repost nazis.

If only I could believe that you used the wrong word intentionally.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Yeah, "instantly" is synonymous with "immediately".

ZV

An example of the paucity of info in any one dictionary. Many people reading 'instantly' as 'imediately' will only think of it in terms of WHEN:

"When are we going to leave, Willis? Immediately."

Yet 'instantly' does have the older, even archaic meaning related not to WHEN but to duration, HOW LONG: "in an instant", "in a flash". It is so close to the WHEN part of 'immediately' that many cannot see the subtle difference, but it is there:

"The flash happened instantly, some had turned away and never saw it at all."

This is precisely why I want a copy of a properly prescriptive dictionary someday. Thanks much for the information. Shame that the OED is so bloody expensive.

ZV

Yeah, though even the OED is not the be all and end all. I got a promo version for joining a book club back in the '70's. The pages were reduced to four to a page, and the whole thing was contained in two largish tomes, complete with a magnifying glass.

The word 'empathy' was not in there!:shocked:

I eventually gave it to a friend who had long lusted after it during a move.

No one dictionary, even the OED, is going to have it all.

I would take a standard dictionary over a promotional version of the OED. I want the full twenty volume set, or nothing at all.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Amused
What's worse?

"It's a mute point."

I was just going to say that you're the leader of the "anti-mute point" revolution.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

up, because I think some people need it

 

[CPA]

yeah, people who say "for all intensive purposes" are loosers.