Grammar Discussions

[SeatBackForward]

To be fair, if you look up the jurisdictional application of what we know as "federal" law, it actually belongs to the Commonwealth (Cth). In addition, any legal cases which is the federal prosecutor against another party is abbreviated as R vs. ... (either Rex or Regina, otherwise also called The Crown).

That doesn't mean that federal laws as they apply in Australia is the same as that in other Commonwealth countries, however. I would say, for most intents and purposes, the need to distinguish between Australian federal and Commonwealth law is irrelevant.

I'm sorry, I think you meant Comonwelth law.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Not sure what distinction is being made between federal and commonwealth law - strictly speaking the Australian Government is the Commonwealth (of Australia) Government and "federal" is an adjective describing the system of government as a whole: including the commonwealth and the states. But federal is often used as a synonym for commonwealth. In terms of legislation, the distinction is between commonwealth/federal laws on the one hand and state laws on the other.
All cases of a public prosecution against another party are abbreviated to R v X. Whether it is a commonwealth or state prosecution.
In legal proceedings the governments all act as "the crown in right of (the Commonwealth of Australia / the State of Western Australia / etc)".
Australia received a lot of law from the UK but the connection between the two legal systems was formally severed when the Hawke/Keating Governments ended appeals from decisions of the High Court of Australia to the Privy Council. Since then they have evolved somewhat differently.
Perhaps the lovely woman who can't spell is worried that appeals to the privy council will be reinstated?

 

[coriander]

Melbourne Channel 7 News tonight - during the weather segment: Text on screen over map of Victoria read "Melbourne experienced it's coldest day....." then in further explanation of regional Victoria displayed "Ballarat experienced it's coldest day....."

 

[Deleted member]

"There", "they're", and "their". It seems most under 30 don't know the correct one.
In addition, "to" now seems to be interchangeable for "too".

Plenty over 30 struggle too.

 

[chelzmalee]

Local business on Facebook. If you can get through this without wanting to strangle the writer, I applaud you:

"DO NOT DRIVE ! Just stay at @the [local pub name]!!!! Start with today's warming special , Cowra lamb shank , red wine , bay leaf and tomato gremolata , creamy local mashed potatoes , $15 ... tonight we are doing a dress up party ... If not in costume it's $1 donation to "Aussie helpers " ... We have decided 10 minutes ago to do a dress up Christmas in July party ... It will snow later tonight so when [dj name](summers) and [dj name] (deck bar) are finished at 3am ... You can walk home in Christmas costume in the snow ... Will have picks in the paper this Monday !"

and this pearler from the other day:

"Fresh (not frozen) chicken Brest , crumbed in minildra flower , local eggs and Japanese bread crumbs and herbs on site , Fried and served with double beer battered chips (crunchy not soggy ) side salad and sauce ... Just $10 .... Yum"

"minildra" is actually Manildra, a nearby town which has a flour mill.

Sigh. It's a shame, because this pub probably does really good food but I just can't bring myself to go there after these atrocities.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

"
---- snip ----
"minildra" is actually Manildra, a nearby town who has a flour mill.

Just a question:
If we're going to be snarky grammar pedants, is it OK to say "town who" rather than "town that (or which)"?
I think I can remember being taught (a very long time ago...) that 'who' referred to people, whereas 'that & which' referred to groups or things.
While I'm willing to concede that a town is made of people, I think that a town is more properly described as a group or thing.
What's the concensus?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

You're right and it should be "which" as the name of the town is sufficient to identify it, and the presence of a flour mill is additional (though highly relevant), descriptive information. This is reinforcd by the comma before the second clause. Essential clauses, which begin with "that", are not demarcated with commas. Non-essential clauses, which begin with "which", are.

 

[get me outta here]

I found that quite lightheartedly amusing and feel a bit kindly towards that pub. However, if I were anywhere nearby I would offer my meager services as an editor.

Local business on Facebook. If you can get through this without wanting to strangle the writer, I applaud you:

"DO NOT DRIVE ! Just stay at @the [local pub name]!!!! Start with today's warming special , Cowra lamb shank , red wine , bay leaf and tomato gremolata , creamy local mashed potatoes , $15 ... tonight we are doing a dress up party ... If not in costume it's $1 donation to "Aussie helpers " ... We have decided 10 minutes ago to do a dress up Christmas in July party ... It will snow later tonight so when [dj name](summers) and [dj name] (deck bar) are finished at 3am ... You can walk home in Christmas costume in the snow ... Will have picks in the paper this Monday !"

and this pearler from the other day:

"Fresh (not frozen) chicken Brest , crumbed in minildra flower , local eggs and Japanese bread crumbs and herbs on site , Fried and served with double beer battered chips (crunchy not soggy ) side salad and sauce ... Just $10 .... Yum"

"minildra" is actually Manildra, a nearby town who has a flour mill.

Sigh. It's a shame, because this pub probably does really good food but I just can't bring myself to go there after these atrocities.

 

[coriander]

However, if I were anywhere nearby I would offer my meager services as an editor.

Sorry, your application has been rejected - it really was quite a meagre effort.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I never make misteaks

 

[cove]

Ewe cood make misteaks iff ewe reeely tried too I thinks.

 

[chelzmalee]

Just a question:
If we're going to be snarky grammar pedants, is it OK to say "town who" rather than "town that (or which)"?
I think I can remember being taught (a very long time ago...) that 'who' referred to people, whereas 'that & which' referred to groups or things.
While I'm willing to concede that a town is made of people, I think that a town is more properly described as a group or thing.
What's the concensus?

I need some ice for that burn.

However, you are, in fact, correct. My grammar ain't always good eh.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ewe cood make misteaks iff ewe reeely tried too I thinks.

That's standard kiwi isn't it? :shock:

 

[cove]

Yes Kiwi speak/rite so I am glad ewe picked it up. Ewe came from the salmonella issue from the Langham article which helps keep Kiwi sheep jokes alive.

 

[get me outta here]

Quite so!

Sorry, your application has been rejected - it really was quite a meagre effort.

 

[Warks]

I just heard on ABC radio a reporting talking about the people at Badgerys Creek (airport site) being evicted. The reporter said the people had "rented their homes off the government for over twenty years."

Only slightly better than the American "off of".

 

[get me outta here]

Is that like Prince Philip asking, "who do you sponge off," Offensive on a number of levels.

I just heard on ABC radio a reporting talking about the people at Badgerys Creek (airport site) being evicted. The reporter said the people had "rented their homes off the government for over twenty years."

Only slightly better than the American "off of".

 

[coriander]

VERY much closer to home (ie here on AFF), mouse over this emoticon -> <-

Who needs their "R"s kicked (into place)?

 

[Captain Halliday]

I just heard on ABC radio a reporting talking about the people at Badgerys Creek (airport site) being evicted. The reporter said the people had "rented their homes off the government for over twenty years."

Only slightly better than the American "off of".

Not to mention "over twenty years", by which I assume they mean "more than".

 

[Warks]

Here's a little sub-headline from a story on renting:

Putting the breaks on rising rents

From
Addressing housing affordability, German style