Any Grammar Nazis here?

Columbo

Columbo

Columbo

Soldato
Joined
26 Mar 2007
Posts
9,153
Location
Nottinghamshire
A bit of fun below for any English language protectorates.

My boss has just corrected me on an email I sent.
Before I go and slap him with a 2x4 plank of wood some advice on who is correct would be good.

I typed (this is obviously only part of the email):
our hands are tied today in terms of available resource
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He has just said:
Availability of resource not available resource hahaha!!!
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Have I just been owned or can I go medieval on him?
 
I feel like this is an example of someone taking the high ground on a sentence without any problems, and just suggesting an alternative, equally acceptable option.
 
Technically speaking...

Columbo said:
our hands are tied today in terms of available resource
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Our hands are tied today, in terms of the available resource.
Resource is singular, so it should be an, the, etc... or rewrite as in terms of available resources.

Columbo said:
Availability of resource not available resource hahaha!!!
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Depends...
Firstly, it should still be the availability, regardless of singular or plural.
Secondly, availability of resource refers more to how available the resource is... while the available resource is more about whether (or not) the resource is available at all.

Columbo said:
Have I just been owned or can I go medieval on him?
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No, you have not been owned, but even if you were it's always good to go Mediaeval on someone... even if they are (as I assume this guy was) trying to be lighthearted about it. Maybe just be Mediaeval in jest?

However, Medieval is American English. The proper term is, as I stated above, Mediaeval.... and with that, you've now been owned! :p
 
This is my Origin and Steam badge lol. Poor use of the language drives me nuts.

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Sounds like one of those bosses who for some reason is always looking for a reason to put people down :(

Had one a couple of managers ago who'd crow over every time he got one over me, however small or petty was quite annoying even though I didn't really care just felt sorry really for his insecurity.
 
2x4.....is that Metric or Imperial? I'm only asking because a 2mm x 4mm plank isn't going to do a lot of damage, unless you poke him in the eye with it.

Available resources as stated above looks about right to me.
 
Rroff said:
Sounds like one of those bosses who for some reason is always looking for a reason to put people down :(
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Nah he really isn't.
We have an excellent working relationship and I give as good as I get so sometimes I do deserve it.

Still none the wiser on the grammar by the way.
 
subbytna said:
Poor use of the language drives me nuts.
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Depends on where you are and where you're from. Language evolves, changes, develops... Many places have patois or creole variants anyway, although a reasonable grasp of generally correct language is arguably required in order to appreciate the colourful variants, perhaps even making some nuanced use of them yer own self... :)

Long as them that you're addressing can grok your meaning, it's all good.

Columbo said:
Still none the wiser on the grammar by the way.
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I tried to explain my reasoning behind my opinion on it, although I'm perhaps better explaining it vocally...
 
This is the internet, it's as informal as it gets! Poor grammar isn't an issue and anyone who gets upset over it should really try and find other things to worry about!

As for for op's email, you should just reply with "lol k".
 
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