My Anthem

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

TEAser!

Up till noon as I blogged this, I had not received any responses to a TEAser posted yesterday. I reproduce the challenge here, and hope some alert Readers would write me, either via COMMENTS here, or Email: chongyl2000@yahoo.com. Yes, I'm serious aboput the TEA -- teh tarik, journo's brew, remember? --and Prize offerings as an inducement, a bribe, a gift, whatever!

PPS:(2.30pm) I read with horror an item in a newspaper today where a "prize winning" entry consisting of about 50 words contained TWO HOWLERS! Mayhaps it indicates the "state of affairs" the English language has descended into. Mercy, mercy!
Would readers want to track down what piece I'm referring to -- maybe I'll arrange for a "surprise" prize for the best argued entry to spy the referenced HOWLERS! Email me: chongyl2000@yahoo.com... ENJOY!

desiderata.english

HINT: The "howler" refers to a fundamental breach to English Grammar rules. Remember Subject-Verb Agreement?

Eg. The boy goes to school by bus. (Correct)
The children go to school by bus. (Correct)

The boy goes to the playgrpund and play football. (Incorrect)
The boy goes to the playground and plays football. (Correct)

The children go to the concert and then adjourns for a drink. (Incorret)
The children go to the concert and then adjourn for a drink. (Correct)

PS: Have fun! I'm taking a real break until and if I get at least five responses. Otherwise, this Teacher is going AWOL! SE-e-e-Ri-io-ous!
how, as in 'Bye, or Have a NiceMeal!

4 comments:

Dangerous Variable said...

I hardly can remember my teacher teaching us proper grammar eventhough I come from an English school. I will try!

chong y l said...

Hi Dangerous V:

I take liberty with V for Victory by asking thee to try taking up my Challenge as spelt out in the TEAser. You no need to have fantastic grammar grounding -- just spot the Star entry, and relate to my Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement/or Disagreement as the case may be!

Thanks anyway for Visiting -- this challenge still stands until SUNDAY, when I specialise in columning on desiderata.english issues, which this one IS!

TRY-mah, ENJOY-lah!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Mr Desiderata,

My mummy asked me to correct the English of the first prize winner of the Star's tribute to fathers. I have tried my best -

He simply LIVED in a world of poverty,
But didn't once demonstrate he WAS in agony.
A filial son to his family,
Our well being is his destiny.
Daddy always gives us his best,
Never FAILS to contribute to the rest.
A figure to boast,
A father I NEED most.

However, it still does not make much sense to win such a big prize.

Rachel, 14

chong y l said...

Hi Rachel, plus her Dear Mum:

Congrats for your response, and getting it right and explaining it well.

If thou honour me by writing me at Email: chongyl2000@yahoo.com, I'd like to forward thee a romance novel (autographed too by the author herself!). Idunno about fwding the 2 teh tarik for Mum's initiative and Rachel's time and effort in spotting the "winning" entry with all its flaws and howlers!

Rachel: Do you enjoy desiderata.english columns on Sunday? Id like to hear from you.

Regards and Wishing you,
Everything Beaytiful&Nice!

PS: OLD challnege: Go back to desiderata's April 1 column on First LOve and see if you can come back with a reasonable answer?