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Language question: when referring to an item, do you say "your" or "the"

W

Wanescotting

Diamond Member
Example: 1)You are showing someone how to install a video card, you point to the computer, and say "ok first thing, open up your computer"

HOW annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I prefer to say:2) "ok first thing , open up the computer"


can you detect the difference?


Also, it pisses me of when someone states that an inanimate object "gets" or "needs" something.

Example: I am making dinner at a friends house, and they ask me "what else does this macaroni and cheese get (or need)".

GFD, inanimate objects cannot need or get!!!

ask me what else is required

Learn how to speak, folks (I am by no means claiming to be perfect, BTW)


 
For the mac and cheese example, that's just a way of saying, "What is needed in order for thise mac and cheese to be good (better, great, whatever)?"
 
Narrator: Was it ticking?
Airport Security Officer: Actually throwers don't worry about ticking 'cause modern bombs don't tick.
Narrator: Sorry, throwers?
Airport Security Officer: Baggage handlers. But, when a suitcase vibrates, then the throwers gotta call the police.
Narrator: My suitcase was vibrating?
Airport Security Officer: Nine times out of ten it's an electric razor, but every once in a while...
[whispering]
Airport Security Officer: It's a dildo. Of course it's company policy never to, imply ownership in the event of a dildo... always use the indefinite article "a dildo", never "your dildo".
Narrator: I don't own...
[Officer waves Narrator off]

Had to quote it. 😀
 
Originally posted by: Wanescotting
Example: 1)You are showing someone how to install a video card, you point to the computer, and say "ok first thing, open up your computer"

HOW annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I prefer to say:2) "ok first thing , open up the computer"


can you detect the difference?


Also, it pisses me of when someone states that an inanimate object "gets" or "needs" something.

Example: I am making dinner at a friends house, and they ask me "what else does this macaroni and cheese get (or need)".

GFD, inanimate objects cannot need or get!!!

ask me what else is required

Learn how to speak, folks (I am by no means claiming to be perfect, BTW)
Click to expand...

Hooked on teh phonix werked 4u
 
I'm an English/grammar nazi, you can ask anyone I know.

However, this does not bother me. It is their computer so why not say your?

I do hate when people put "your" for "you're."
 
Yeah, quit being so anal and find bigger things to worry about. They're just using the parlance of our times, and can easily be understood by anyone listening.
 
Wow, you're a moron.

First off, learn how to speak? Both of *your* examples are proper English. In the first one, it IS your computer, nothing wrong with that. In the second one...errr dude, require is a more 'formal' version of need, they mean the same thing jackass, and if you put something into it...it is GETTING it?

Idiot.
 
you're just anal. get over it. "your computer" is more specific than "the computer" 100% of the time. "your computer" is "the computer," but "the computer" may not always be "your computer."
 
I know this girl who hates the word "moist." If anyone says that word, it drives her absolutely nuts.


Moist.

Moist.

....

Moist.
 
Originally posted by: Wanescotting
WOW, I was not trying to piss anyone off with this thread, I just wanted feed back on why folks use certain terms.
Click to expand...

Well, you blew it on that one with your accusatory tone.
 
Originally posted by: Wanescotting
WOW, I was not trying to piss anyone off with this thread, I just wanted feed back on why folks use certain terms.
Click to expand...

what'd you expect? this is ATOT.
 
Okay mr. smarty pants. If two or more computers were present, then I would find that acceptable.



Well, you blew it on that one with your accusatory tone.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I have curtness down to a science.
 
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