Re: Fw: Design Question
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:52:41 -0700
Message-ID: <26fdee6e0910191252h36a02dffxc7cace3035f7693d_at_mail.gmail.com>
Robert,
All of your points are valid. Certainly I don't expect non-native English speakers to be perfect or even close. I, myself, can't even speak a second language, so, those people are way ahead of me. However, there are many highly educated and respected persons, such as you, who set an example for the rest of us. I would hope that these people could "get it right" almost effortlessly. Nevertheless, you are right, this is not the place for a grammar lesson and even if it were, I'm not really qualified to give it. My apologies to the group.
Regards,
Mike
On Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 12:21 PM, Robert Freeman <robertgfreeman_at_yahoo.com>wrote:
> >> Sorry for the off topic post, but when it is so easy to get it right,
> why get it wrong?
>
> I protest the notion that it's easy to get things right and I suggest it's
> a response that ignores the international nature of this forum.
>
> I would prefer that people answer questions or get their ideas down on
> e-paper without worrying if their grammar, spelling or syntax is perfect
> (certainly it needs to be understandable and putting in some effort to get
> it right is admirable) and if it's going to be picked apart. For some,
> grammar is a no-brainier, and for some where English is not a first language
> it's a bigger deal.
>
> I don't know about anyone else, but when I choose to answer questions I'm
> filling a gap of available time that might be 2 minutes, or 5 minutes. I do
> my best to present a well written response, or pose a well written query.
> But if I've got to go edit myself over and over again I'm less likely to
> make the response because now there is more time required and there are
> those out there who are going to beat me up over one mistake made because
> I'm typing my response at the speed of light. Also, I might add, I'm not
> here to TEACH grammar to non-English speakers. This is not the Lean to Speak
> and Read English forum. Set your expectations appropriately.
>
> So the question is, do you want lots good answers with occasional bad
> grammar and spelling errors or would you like few answers that meet the bar
> of the national grammar society? I prefer the former myself. I know, I'm an
> author and this response must sound so rebellious.
>
> RF
>
>
> Robert G. Freeman
> Oracle ACE
> Ask me about on-site Oracle Training! RMAN, DBA, Tuning, you name it!
> Author:
> Oracle Database 11g RMAN Backup and Recovery (Oracle Press) - ON IT'S WAY
> SOON!
> OCP: Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Professional Study Guide
> (Sybex)
> Oracle Database 11g New Features (Oracle Press)
> Oracle Database 10g New Features (Oracle Press)
> Other various titles
> Blog: http://robertgfreeman.blogspot.com
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Michael Moore <michaeljmoore_at_gmail.com>
> *To:* oracle-l_at_freelists.org
> *Sent:* Mon, October 19, 2009 12:38:14 PM
> *Subject:* Re: Design Question
>
> I've got nothing relevant to add to the discussion, so instead I'll play
> grammar police.
>
> "fewer joins" not "less joins"
> "fewer blocks" not "less blocks"
>
> It there are countable units, use the word "fewer".
>
> Less rain; fewer drops of rain, because drops are countable, rain is not.
> Less milk; fewer quarts of milk, because quarts are countable and milk is
> not.
>
> Sorry for the off topic post, but when it is so easy to get it right, why
> get it wrong?
>
> Regards.
>
-- http://www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-lReceived on Mon Oct 19 2009 - 14:52:41 CDT