Alltherage, I actually made a thread about lose vs. loose quite a while ago. It definitely turns my gears.
Intentional or not, it is almost inevitable that you'll make a spelling or grammar mistake when posting in a thread like this. That's why it's fun. Glass houses etc.
Anyone want to explain the proper use of dependent and dependant?
A dependant is a person who is dependent on something else. Or in other words, dependant is the noun form, while dependent is an adjective.
But you can be forgiven for your confusion, as 'ant/ent' suffixes are somewhat difficult. The tendency is for the noun forms to have the 'ant' suffix: coolant, accountant, entrant, tenant, etc. But there are still a number of nouns that use 'ent', such as resident or respondent. Conversely, amongst adjective forms, there's a slight tendency toward 'ent' forms, but there's lots of each: flamboyant, ignorant, reticent. I think the main determiner as to which suffix is correct is how and when the word made its way into the english language.
When there are two words that are the same except for the ending, however, I think it's always true that the 'ant' form will be the noun (person) and the 'ent' form will be the adjective. Another example of this would be confidant (noun), confident (adjective).
One that always confuses me is compliment complement.
Maybe if I was good at grammar myself, I could have been upset about irregardless.
Fixed.
Haha, I know man, I hate grammar nazis as much as the next person, but originally this thread was not about grammar, it was about a word that doesn't exist that is getting forced upon our language and our culture by ignorance!
A dependant is a person who is dependent on something else. Or in other words, dependant is the noun form, while dependent is an adjective.
But you can be forgiven for your confusion, as 'ant/ent' suffixes are somewhat difficult. The tendency is for the noun forms to have the 'ant' suffix: coolant, accountant, entrant, tenant, etc. But there are still a number of nouns that use 'ent', such as resident or respondent. Conversely, amongst adjective forms, there's a slight tendency toward 'ent' forms, but there's lots of each: flamboyant, ignorant, reticent. I think the main determiner as to which suffix is correct is how and when the word made its way into the english language.
When there are two words that are the same except for the ending, however, I think it's always true that the 'ant' form will be the noun (person) and the 'ent' form will be the adjective. Another example of this would be confidant (noun), confident (adjective).
One that always confuses me is compliment complement.
Again, it is more the noun versus the verb concept. If you give a compliment, you are saying something nice about that person. For instance, 4x4 can text very well while driving.
Complement means to enhance. So for instance, many people would say that the flavor of mushrooms in complemented by the addition of onion and garlic.
To be quite honest, frankly, I only hate two things ... Liberal politicians and prejudiced people. And the Coilers, especially that punk Torres. And Canuck fans, regardless of whether they're Liberals or prejudiced. I'm not very fond of Southern Comfort either, especially in copious quantities. And disco, I hate disco too. And rap. I hate rap more than disco, but less than Liberals. Pi$$ing in the wind is something else I'm not too fond of. Or is that pi$$ing into the wind? I'm never sure which. And drivers who don't like my speeding ... they really torque me. I guess that's more than two things. Oh well, to be quite honest, I meant I only hate a few things. I think. What was my point again?
I was absolutely giddy watching this part last week. What a brilliant minute of television.
I think the English language should be like art. People can alter and misuse grammar however they wish and it will only embiggen our understanding of reality and the universe. I mean, take a page out of the LOLZ Cats thread. Idiocy is just soooooo cute.
