Messages

31

Badly Written, Badly Spoken / PBGen for a brigadier general

« on: March 31, 2019, 03:38:35 PM »

Lately, I noticed that the news program I've been watching had been naming police officers in its reports differently from what it used to do. A police brigadier general is now PBGen. (before it was Brig. Gen.) while a police captain is now PCpt. (before it was Capt.). Wasn't it ill-advised in doing so?

32

Badly Written, Badly Spoken / Re: Swipe left vs. swipe to the left

« on: February 27, 2019, 10:28:21 AM »

Thank you for your reply!

Can you advise the app's developers about their honest mistake then? The app has many users, seemingly targeting  entry-level professionals.

33

Badly Written, Badly Spoken / Swipe left vs. swipe to the left

« on: February 25, 2019, 05:26:05 PM »

I am using an app that says "swipe left to reveal the comments." And so I tried to do the action the first time I had used it--sweeping my finger from the left side to the right side of my smartphone. But the comment page/section didn't appear. The other night, though, I accidentally moved my finger from the right side of my smartphone to the left side and the comment page/section appeared! So, I've come to think that the developers of the app should've put "swipe to the left to reveal the comments" instead. Right?

34

Use and Misuse / Re: Election, elections, and making one happy

« on: February 25, 2019, 04:35:34 PM »

Uh, oh.

If it's any consolation, I at least wouldn't have to say that, for example, I wish I have made you happy in so many words.

Thank you.

35

Use and Misuse / Election, elections, and making one happy

« on: February 24, 2019, 01:17:24 PM »

Is "election" more appropriate to use than "elections"? Why do some say the coming 2019 Philippine midterm election while others, 2019 elections?

Also, can you really "make" someone "happy"? I've come to believe that happiness is a personal decision so one can only give reasons for that someone to be happy; only the latter can say if he or she became happy.

Thank you.

36

Your Thoughts Exactly / Re: My 33rd Christmas

« on: January 28, 2019, 09:50:12 AM »

Whew, it didn't occur to me that I had been a member of the Forum since June 2010! Thank you very much for appreciating me, Sir!

37

Your Thoughts Exactly / My 33rd Christmas

« on: December 24, 2018, 09:07:33 AM »

Seven years ago, it occurred to me that I would die sometime this year.

It just seemed logical. My first brain operation happened last March 7, 1998. It was brought about by arteriovenous malformation (AVM) that affected my hearing, facial symmetry, and balance and coordination. I just happened to have a supportive mother who let me continue my studies despite being only able to walk.

My second brain operation happened last July 31, 2008.  I was working for two media outfits in the United Arab Emirates then when what had happened before recurred. It compromised my ability to walk alone completely and everything else that I've been rebuilding.

How could I not suffer from another brain operation after another 10 years?

But 2018 is already drawing to a close and nothing has happened. I still cannot walk. I still cannot hear in my right ear. I still have a disfigured physical appearance and I still am unable to write in either hand.

I still can key in keys in a keyboard, however (from only seven words per minute, I can now type 20). I also still can think. So even though there are still seven days before the year ends, I can now say that my chance to live again after two brain operations has, indeed, been a Christmas gift.

38

Badly Written, Badly Spoken / Re: No for none

« on: July 28, 2018, 01:19:09 PM »

I see. I just thought that being able to discern such simple differences may help non-native English users to appreciate the language more.

39

Badly Written, Badly Spoken / No for none

« on: July 14, 2018, 01:50:06 PM »

I heard an artist in a Filipino soap opera answered "no" when she had really meant "none" to a question raised by her fellow artist in the televised serial
the other day. I would have just shrugged that off but then I remember another incident like that involving a politician and a newscaster weeks ago. Can something still be done so that users of English would not confuse "no" for "none" anymore, Sir?

40

My Media English Watch / Re: A crash course in politically correct English

« on: June 30, 2018, 04:17:58 PM »

I see. I'll just hope then that the current president would fulfill his promise to some law alumni two years ago. That is, to look for lands and build economic zones.

41

My Media English Watch / Re: A crash course in politically correct English

« on: June 16, 2018, 02:17:33 PM »

I would have agreed with your son, Sir.

But with what's happening to some Philippine waterways lately, I couldn't resist calling a spade a spade. Those "informal settlers" are occupying a land that is not their own, ruining the environment in the process. How could they not be illegal?

42

Use and Misuse / Re: The correct, judicious forms of address in a bureaucracy

« on: April 11, 2018, 01:03:00 PM »

Thank you, Sir!

43

You Asked Me This Question / Re: Ideal book for a 7-year-old?

« on: April 11, 2018, 01:00:44 PM »

Thank you, Sir!

44

You Asked Me This Question / Ideal book for a 7-year-old?

« on: April 08, 2018, 05:22:33 PM »

I have a 7-year-old nephew who's fond of books. Lately, though, my cousin told me that he has ceased reading and turned into writing. Is there a book you could recommend that emphasizes the importance of reading to would-be writers especially if they're just 7-year-old kids?

45

Use and Misuse / Re: The correct, judicious forms of address in a bureaucracy

« on: April 03, 2018, 12:32:01 PM »

How about if the person has a "Jr." or a "Sr." in his or her surname, Sir? How should that person be addressed in a letter?

Thank you.