Grammar

[MisterWite1]

Jacque Fresco believes we need a new language. One more literal that leaves little or no windows open for interpretation. Almost along the lines of a computer language, or mathematics, but verbal. Wouldn't that be crazy? Our language is pretty ancient. Take the word sunrise for example, we know now that the sun doesn't rise, the earth spins, but yet we still use the word every day.

[scatcoitus]

10 items or less should actually be 10 items or fewer, but people still use 10 items or less despite it being bad grammar.

[scatcoitus]

you should do a bullshit episode on grammar

[scatcoitus]

you use fewer with something you can count and you use less with something you can't count.  that is the difference between fewer and less. you can't count water so you use less water instead of fewer water

[Kamicolod]

Languages evolve.

There's no such thing as "correct" English.

Whether you tell me she lies in the box or lays in the box I know where to look for her.

[pennsays]

@Kamicolod Don't tell me . . . in the box? ;-)

[JoeDeceiver]

Shoot, and I thought it was a trick question...

[JoeDeceiver]

Dat uv wich sez wurr ewe ryte, dewd!

[puellanivis]

INTERROBANG FTW!

[freddydaddy69]

what the hecks am he refering to as? impacting it is to here the tempeture from local wether peeps.

[genericfighter]

i love the interrobang!

[dojomojomofo]

Who wouldn't want to use an interrobang‽

[secretswimminghole]

we have to listen to grammer girl in school , pretty cool

[UniversalRules]

grammar...

[secretswimminghole]

i was joking. i hate that english teacher.good thing i have funny teachers this year

[kixASEOH]

You've never heard it because it's not correct. Saying "x is fewer than y" is like saying "I had fewer water to drink." If you are not talking about things that can be counted, then don't use "fewer". You could say " I had fewer glasses of water today." Because you could count the glasses of water. You can't count water itself because it is an amount. I thought the comment you replied to explained it well but I don't think you read it over as I suggested.

[kixASEOH]

Also specify "fewer than what?" i.e. "I had fewer glasses of water to drink than he did.

[clermontflorida]

"10 Items or Less" is a grammatically incorrect phrase, the way it is used at grocery stores and such, since the word "less" should refer to things not evaluated numerically (love, freedom, prosperity). The correct phrasing should be "10 Items or FEWER" when referring to anything that is counted numerically (dollars, items, acres).

[cactuarenigma]

So "<" should be pronounced "fewer than?"

[kixASEOH]

No, the phrase "less than" is not grammatically incorrect on its own; it is the context within which it is used. Read clermontforida's comment again because I think it is a good explanation.

[cactuarenigma]

I'm just saying, I've never heard anyone ever read "x < 5" as "x is fewer than five." All the math and programming books I've ever read also contain this "error."

[clermontflorida]

It depends if we are referring just to numbers or actual items. 3 is less that 4 would be correct. However, 3 dollars is less than 4 dollars would not be correct.

[mediteight]

I can't resist asking - what about:

3.4 dollars is less than 4 dollars?

Would you agree this seems correct, rather than: 3.4 dollars is fewer than 4 dollars?

What about: 3.0 dollars is less than 4 dollars?

It would seem a little ridiculous is it were right to say: 3.0 dollars is less than 4 dollars

but wrong to say 3 dollars is less than 4 dollars

[clermontflorida]

If my original comment is correct, "fewer" should be used in both instances...I think. To be honest, I don't know for sure if my original comment is true. I heard it in a college english class, but for all I know the teacher is full of shit. Let me do some research and find out for sure.

[alexl1001]

Wow. That's really interesting. I never really thought about that before. Thanks for posting.

[TKnightcrawler]

Interesting idea. :-P

[scotsmanlerxt]

Love all your vids but Penn, PLEASE never aim your camera looking up your nose; it's such a distracting and awkward angle; I can't focus on what you are saying. You rock!

[JimiTuber]

Hey Penn - I write copy for a living. I'll do that for you.

[rpm2004]

Why the f#ck would you want to use an interrobang‽

[parmonie]

I'd definitely sit in on shows and correct grammar. It's what I love to do. I don't charge much. :)

[WetlandsRemediation]

Lay or lie?

As always, that depends.

Typically, she lies.

Unless of course, she's having sex.

Then she LAYS in her BOX.

[burningtrainwreck]

"She lay in the box" is the correct grammar for that description.

I'd be more than happy to take that job if she's not available.

[umbrasleeps]

My English teacher didn't help me then ...

[ealexwhite]

Well, if you care enough about grammar (I do, personally), it's a cool idea and a good opportunity for her.

[NTNchamp2]

As an atheist and English teacher, I found this particular video particular interesting. But you should learn the rules before you break them. Cool idea.

[ionutreturns]

in what particulary way did you particulary find this particular idea particulary particular?

you can only answer using the words 'particular' and 'bullshit' and their derivates.

[wolfy18]

lmao.

[NTNchamp2]

touche

[singedrac]

We all love the interrobang.

[thomasford]

Also an interesting way of describing the person that gave birth to your son. I'm guessing it has something to do with a falling out?

[yomama682]

we speek gramer good in utube

I truly have respect for people that take time to write out their words; using correct punctuation, capitalization, and using the correct modifier for its complement. For me, their opinion is much more important than ppl who typ leik dis.

[AlderDragon]

Well said.

[chavrecycler]

I hear that argument all the time, and I don't understand it. It doesn't take me any longer to write correctly because I was taught to write at school.

I hear the argument often though, "Yeh, wel i wrt it fast n dnt hve tme fr gramer its not an esay its da intnet."

It actually took me a lot longer to write it like that!

[BWF89]

One grammatical mistake almost everyone makes is that the use of collectivist language when discussing politics. Even I'm guilty of it. People will use words like "we" when referring to the actions of the government they live under.

[chavrecycler]

To be fair, that's actually quite correct for those of us living in a democracy. The government is "us".

I often find the opposite case, like when people blame the "media". We buy the papers and magazines, and watch the TV and listen to the radio. The "media" is us. We can't blame a thing called the media, but we all do.

My pet hate? People who don't know the difference between "your" and "you're", "lose" and "loose", "to" and "too" or even "two".

[BWF89]

@Chavrecycler: How does America being a democracy (actually a republic) make me and you the government? I don't know about you but I don't work for any branch of the government. Nobody consults me before new laws or spending is passed.

[yomama682]

Exactly. The government of United States is an Indirect Democracy. This means that we elect some political official - like a congressman - to vote for and pass laws for us. A direct democracy is when every citizen votes on every law. Wouldn't that be a burden?

[chavrecycler]

Whoahh!

I was simply having a discussion about grammar rather than politics; specifically the use of words like "us" and "we".

I understand what you mean politically, and I don't disagree at all.

Technically, the use of the words was correct. I think it's viewed differently too, if one looks internally, and externally. I think when compared to another country, we are more inclined to adopt the collective "we" even if we don't like the government internally.

Just a thought! Not a fight.

[BWF89]

@Chavrecycler: I wasn't trying to start a fight. Some study came out awhile ago that said that a high percentage of the time when someone types something online the tone the message was meant to be said in is misunderstood by the person reading it.

[chavrecycler]

That's cool. I was certainly not suggesting YOU were starting a fight. Rather, I was letting you know that I wasn't.

Many people get offended just by my being here, so I was letting you know.

Cheers!

[chavrecycler]

I believe in grammar, but I am a big fan of coloquialism and true slang. They are creative forms of language.

Unfortunately, there is a widely held belief at the moment that 'txt spk' is slang, and that grammar and spelling isn't necessary if you are on the internet.

For me, it's mostly annoying when I am trying to pick the truly brain dead from those who are just slumming.(The latter send you a PM in perfect English after you've picked on their speech!)

I hope this phase is temporary!

[sphinxrising58]

Well, since most contacts online are fleeting, the need for proper english is somewhat like sending an entire naval fleet to handle a kid with a wayward RC boat.

You or I send a message, or post something, someone either answers or not, boom, it's over. No need for formalities online.

[chavrecycler]

Sure sphynxrising58, I'm agreeing with you, and I understand what you mean. How about this one...

I found a topic recently where a lot of bullying had gone on (this is a normal Youtube thing) and a member had re-appeared after a long absence.

He/she had been frightened into silence for a long time, and had summoned up the courage to come back. There were a few welcoming messages, and then one said "Glad to see your back."

Glad to see your back means "Get Lost" in polite terms.

See?

[sphinxrising58]

Well, cyber bullies are basically frightened people trying to put on a brave facade, & the onely way a bully can feel good about themselves is by frightening others or making them fell bad, which gives the bully a false snse of superiority.

Face up to a bully & they go away.

[chavrecycler]

True, but only if they understand what you said.

[Solar2]

Why do you have to pick? Why would you think someone who speaks in 'txt spk' is brain dead? I for one think it's funny. Yer such a n00bs atz da internets, lolololol!!111

[chavrecycler]

Because unfortunately, most are.

[Deadbirdcheese]

Too bad I use 'txt spk' with my bf and friends, but talk like this too. :)

[IslamIS4retards]

Are you the guy that posted "the bible is bullshit". I loved that video. Will you also post the qur'an is bullshit?

[petefc]

It'd be simpler to note Teller's grammar mistakes!

[amadeus5521]

Transitive vs Intransitive... it's an Epic battle!

[windham666]

good one

[kramcas2]

The interrobang is awesome ‽ just look at the thing

[ZombieX13]

wtf is it used for?!

[ufo8mykat]

Grammarians are sexy.

[tabooman]

Aren't they? :D

[ArtThroughtheAges]

geez, you make a b'zillion dollars on stage with what you say (the Old Man was an amateur magician) so for some worm like me to make a suggestion is almost unheard of, but, Penn? Lift that camera a lil bit, wouldja?

Pretend we're your audience (which you probably do to some extent) and lift it head high or better, or, treat us as if you're talking to us (more the sensation we perceive) and hold it abut head level.

Or, don't. Just a thought....

[11mc22]

i agree

[WineRage2]

Penn,

In modern linguistics there is a big field that studies descriptive grammar instead of prescriptive grammar. That is, they try to form rules describing how different people speak, not how they ought to speak. So you can't make a grammatical mistake unless you are speaking / writing for a specific purpose which requires a special grammar (like a medical journal or academic paper).

[JackadullBoy]

This is trendy flotsam. It's also manifestly self-refuting. Using language is a normative activity, and we never stop learning how to do it, looking up words, deferring to experts, etc. Descriptivism, when employed to stop people learning things, is manifestly self-refuting because it does, itself, assert a specialist rule: don't defer to experts other than descriptivists.

[BowmanGT]

Grammar is important in this ever-changing world in which we live in.

Heh.

[11mc22]

do i haz grammar good?

[anglaismoyen]

at least you spelt grammar right. a lot of people trying to speak correctly are spelling it 'grammer'. lol.

[dtocs1988]

Dont forget your body language is what other people readin a similar degree as much as what you are saying.

Grammer matters more when people can not use your body language to establish what you wish to comunicate however a live magic act the importance of grammer is notas big as say in a formal letter.

[GodofVengence]

hey how do you like your Kindle? I'm thinking about getting one, but I haven't decided yet?

[MystDragon3k]

Not a bad idea, if you can get her to do it, go ahead. I would say only for a few shows so she can get down every iteration of your act, and maybe whenever you try a new segment or joke, but yeah, having someone point out the mistakes in your speech and dialouge (monolouge? Teller makes this complex)to help you become more proffesional, and an even better speaker.

[Rocky183]

Man, interrobangs.

[deanobeany]

i think a lot of what exists in the english language is surplus to requirements, i think we should impliment some more phonetics, takle the stress of spellings that are bizzar (pnumatic? kife?) and get kids concentrating on the more important aspects of their schooling

[rjwical]

Everyone could improve their grammar skills. I think most of the problem is the language, (I mean look at the words to, too and two). We just need a better way to communicate. It, (the solution), needs to address grammar and spelling.

[proofisinthepudding]

I don't know if I would want them to come to work and take notes of what I say all day.I sure they would be totally disgusted with my language!;)

[euphorial]

I love you Penn! In a very, straight.. manly love kinda way.

[ConalCochran]

Penn...did you cut it? From that perspective..that angle...I didn't catch a single glimpse of the tail.

[ls6guy]

yeah it was

[RyanChristianson]

i love this sentence:

"Do you take the bus to school or bring a home lunch."

[RyanChristianson]

PENN YOUR MY HEROO

[mark3105]

grammer isnt improtant as long as people understand what you are trying to say. if everyone used proper grammer all the time speach would be boring

[a2zdiy]

LOL! Obviously spelling isn't particularly important to you either!

VERY UNboring spelling there!

Woot!

[mark3105]

i have dyslixa thanks for making me feel bad jerk =(

[a2zdiy]

*mark3105* "i have dyslixa thanks for making me feel bad jerk =( "

Actually, what you have is an apparent inability or unwillingness to use spell-check, and the expectation that if you make a patently bogus claim of a medical condition, your having done so somehow makes ME a jerk.

Dyslexia doesn't make you spell grammar, speech, and dyslexia as grammer, speach, and dyslixa, - ignorance causes that.

...and if being right makes me a jerk, I'm ok with that. Eye wuz jest halving sum funn...

d;^>

[archivesbc]

mark3105, I think that we've reached a point in time where only a select few actually use proper grammar in their speech.

Using proper grammar simply shows your level of education and command of the language. You can speak as terrible as you like, as long as you know how to use the language properly. This is extremely important for those who speak English as their mother tongue.

[Koujinkamu]

As long as your point gets across clearly, do it whatever way you like. Too bad my teacher doesn't share that view... costs me a lot of points. I got high marks in English before my teacher died and now we have this rigid-minded bitch who wants it all one way. Haha... wants it all one way...

[pennsays]

Grammar aids in communicating your ideas. Bad grammar has the possibility of confusing people.

[bizzyindmp220]

I think most everyone who watches your shows knows what you are saying. I wouldn't worry about any confusion.

[a2zdiy]

*mark3105* "if everyone used proper grammer all the time speach would be boring"

I actually agree with your point, even though I did tease you about your spelling.

Kery onn...

d;^>

[IheartFreedom]

@mark3105 Wow, it took me longer to read your grammatically-incorrect statement than if you had actually used correct grammar. Way to prove a point.

[a2zdiy]

I can talk grammar real good.