Split infinitives

[Guest KevinSymonds]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1885036' date='Jun 6 2009, 06:05 PM']If I were to have carelessly split an infinitive on an English paper last year, my teacher would have decided to rudely stamp my paper with "AARGH!".[/quote]

I was merciless with my students last Fall. The seniors had a -1 point for every spelling, grammatical or syntax error in a THEOLOGY class for their Theology term papers.

One student said rather curtly, "You should have been an English teacher."

I took all of Christmas break to think about that remark and I answered it on the first day of the Spring semester. I said, "[i]Yes, I am serious about proper English in a theology course because in Theology, one word can make the difference between orthodoxy and heterodoxy[/i]."

For all you Dr. Hildebrandians: "[i]homoiousios[/i]" or "[i]homoousios[/i]" anyone?

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='KevinSymonds' post='1885524' date='Jun 7 2009, 11:04 AM']I was merciless with my students last Fall. The seniors had a -1 point for every spelling, grammatical or syntax error in a THEOLOGY class for their Theology term papers.

One student said rather curtly, "You should have been an English teacher."

I took all of Christmas break to think about that remark and I answered it on the first day of the Spring semester. I said, "[i]Yes, I am serious about proper English in a theology course because in Theology, one word can make the difference between orthodoxy and heterodoxy[/i]."

For all you Dr. Hildebrandians: "[i]homoiousios[/i]" or "[i]homoousios[/i]" anyone?[/quote]

Homoousious is a particularly appropriate word to think about today, as it is the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.

What theology course do you get to usually teach?

Edited June 7, 2009 by Resurrexi

[Guest KevinSymonds]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1885529' date='Jun 7 2009, 11:09 AM']Homoousious is a particularly appropriate word to think about today, as it is the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.

What theology course do you get to usually teach?[/quote]

Well, this past year I had Scripture (Freshmen), Intro to Catholicism (Soph.) and Morality & Ethics (Seniors).

I would absolutely, positively LOVE to just teach a college course on Private Revelation.

[VeniteAdoremus]

Ha! A Dutch Catholic comedian (well, actually THE Dutch Catholic comedian) used to humorously say
"Eén verkeerde komma of letter
maakt van Jezus nog een ketter!"

(or "One single wrong comma or letter could turn Jesus into a heretic"). And it's true.

The Lord's Sheep: you can start [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_words_of_Dutch_origin"]here[/url], with words that are probably easy to remember Both "cookie" and "waffle" come from Dutch, apparently. I think this is a very good thing.

[Guest KevinSymonds]

I am tempted to agree that a comma can make a break a theological statement.

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='MithLuin' post='1884971' date='Jun 6 2009, 01:12 PM']You have to remember that languages grow and that there is not one person who is 'in charge' of what is grammatically correct or not. The consensus and general usage can change certain rules. So, splitting infinitives is viewed as grammatically incorrect by some (but not all) English speakers.

The intentional splitting of infinitives in this thread shows how to not use them. But there are cases where splitting the infinitive would be more appropriate/accurate than not doing so.

One 'rule' of grammar is that if something you like is not considered to be correct...use it, and see if it catches on![/quote]
I done did liked this point of view when I first had readed it.

[homeschoolmom]

You people have managed to effortlessly derail my thread. If you want to hopefully get back on task, please reread the OP and that will help you to possibly get back on track.

[the lords sheep]

HSM: I hope you will be able to mercifully accept our apologies.

To VA: Dank u wel! (that was the only word I managed to perfectly master while in the Netherlands...)

Edited June 7, 2009 by the lords sheep

[VeniteAdoremus]

HSM: please allow me to repentfully join in the lord's sheep's sentiments.

TLS: Wow! You didn't glue them all together! I am v. impressed (You can say "je" instead of "u", if you want, we're only 10 months apart )

[Resurrexi]

I hate it when other posters on Phatmass choose to incorrectly use infinitives.

[Christie_M]

then i hope you will choose to forgive their ignorance

Edited June 27, 2009 by Christie_M

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Christie_M' post='1902528' date='Jun 26 2009, 10:04 PM']then i hope you will choose to forgive their ignorance[/quote]

There is not split infinitive in your post. Posts in this thread are supposed to always contain split infinitives.

[Christie_M]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1902530' date='Jun 26 2009, 09:07 PM']There is not split infinitive in your post. Posts in this thread are supposed to always contain split infinitives.[/quote]
first i did, now i didn't...nothing pleases you!

[Resurrexi]

This is the only thread in which it is acceptable to sometimes write grammatical errors.

[Christie_M]

[MissyP89]

Would it also be acceptable to mercilessly beat you over the head for being such a fascist meanie poo poo head?

[BG45]

[missionseeker]

I had to literally laugh out at Missy's post.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='missionseeker' post='1902961' date='Jun 27 2009, 04:58 PM']I had to literally laugh out at Missy's post.[/quote]

I actually thought it was rather funny, too!

[rachael]