Why English Is Hard - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

icecream · 03-02-2021, 07:41 PM

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.
2. The farm was used to produce produce.
3. The dump was so full it had to refuse refuse.
4. We polish Polish furniture.
5. He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6. The man decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8. A bass was painted on the bass drum.
9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes protecting her stash of chocolate Doves.
10. I did not object to the object.
11. The insurance for the invalid was invalid.
12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13. They were too close to the door to close it.

1960'sTVfan · 03-02-2021, 08:06 PM

This is true, there are words in the English language that have multiple meanings although the spelling is the same. The difference is usually in how the word is pronounced.

SledgeBarone · 03-03-2021, 01:16 AM

"She mooted her idea, but her office colleagues disliked it, so her idea was mooted."

It's even worse when the same word has nearly the opposite meaning.

RetroGuy2000 · 03-03-2021, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SledgeBarone

"She mooted her idea, but her office colleagues disliked it, so her idea was mooted."

It's even worse when the same word has nearly the opposite meaning.

Yep. Or when logic would tell you two words are the opposite, but they are not. Flammable and inflammable come to mind.

opus · 03-03-2021, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yep. Or when logic would tell you two words are the opposite, but they are not. Flammable and inflammable come to mind.

In that vein, why do we drive on the parkway and park on the driveway?

GentlemanJim · 03-03-2021, 03:16 AM

You've GOT to be kidding?

Torgo · 03-03-2021, 08:38 AM

biffbronson · 03-03-2021, 10:59 PM

From Dr. Seuss, "The Tough Coughs as He Ploughs the Dough."

Here'e something I thought of, "Take a bow after you tie a bow around the bough." lol

SledgeBarone · 03-07-2021, 04:22 PM

"While at the hardware store, he was dwelling on his dwelling."

PracTz · 03-08-2021, 12:45 AM

bough, cough, dough, rough, through. ..

need I go on?

Oh, and why is the plural of mouse mice but the plural of house isn't hice!

And why is the plural of goose, geese but the plural of mongoose isn't mongeese!

And why is Arkansas pronounced 'Ar-kan-SAW' but Kansas is pronounced 'KAN-sas' instead of 'Kan-SAW'

Hawkee · 03-18-2021, 04:55 AM

I've noticed this as well when people write words or talk and I can't figure out why some words are pronounced differently when they are spelled the same way. Take for example one word I can't figure out is read why it's sometimes pronounced like red when it is actually reed and another thing I've noticed is a lot is sometimes spelled alot. My weakness in school was always spelling because I would mess up some words and I dreaded spelling tests when I was young. I always dreaded reading aloud in school too because I was afraid of mispronouncing words and the kids would make fun of me
Bestie

GentlemanJim · 03-19-2021, 12:41 PM

The only way to prevent oversights such as this from recurring, is through assuring additional oversight in the future.

Hawkee · 03-20-2021, 02:39 AM

Another word that I can't figure out because even though it's spelled correctly it should be pronounced right is viscount and I always thought it was pronounced viss-count but then I saw it pronounced vye-count and it was confusing to me
Bestie

Furienna · 03-20-2021, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.
2. The farm was used to produce produce.
3. The dump was so full it had to refuse refuse.
4. We polish Polish furniture.
5. He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6. The man decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8. A bass was painted on the bass drum.
9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes protecting her stash of chocolate Doves.
10. I did not object to the object.
11. The insurance for the invalid was invalid.
12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13. They were too close to the door to close it.

However, it is very much possible that you have the easiest grammar in the world.
No cases or genders for the nouns.
Your verbs do still get a extra -s after the 3rd person singular in the present tense, but that is it.
It is very easy compared to for example German or French.

Furienna · 03-20-2021, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PracTz

Oh, and why is the plural of mouse mice but the plural of house isn't hice!

This is because of the umlauts in Old English.
It is very common to this day in other Germanic languages.

03-02-2021, 07:41 PM	#1
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,760	Why English Is Hard 1. The bandage was wound around the wound. 2. The farm was used to produce produce. 3. The dump was so full it had to refuse refuse. 4. We polish Polish furniture. 5. He could lead if he would get the lead out. 6. The man decided to desert his dessert in the desert. 7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present. 8. A bass was painted on the bass drum. 9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes protecting her stash of chocolate Doves. 10. I did not object to the object. 11. The insurance for the invalid was invalid. 12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row. 13. They were too close to the door to close it.
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03-03-2021, 08:38 AM	#7
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,033
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03-18-2021, 04:55 AM	#11
Hawkee Michael Fassbender Fanatic Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Location: California Posts: 10,799	I've noticed this as well when people write words or talk and I can't figure out why some words are pronounced differently when they are spelled the same way. Take for example one word I can't figure out is read why it's sometimes pronounced like red when it is actually reed and another thing I've noticed is a lot is sometimes spelled alot. My weakness in school was always spelling because I would mess up some words and I dreaded spelling tests when I was young. I always dreaded reading aloud in school too because I was afraid of mispronouncing words and the kids would make fun of me Bestie
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03-02-2021, 08:06 PM	#2
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,095	This is true, there are words in the English language that have multiple meanings although the spelling is the same. The difference is usually in how the word is pronounced.

03-03-2021, 01:16 AM	#3
SledgeBarone Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 01, 2020 Posts: 1,930	"She mooted her idea, but her office colleagues disliked it, so her idea was mooted." It's even worse when the same word has nearly the opposite meaning.

03-03-2021, 03:16 AM	#6
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	You've GOT to be kidding?

03-03-2021, 10:59 PM	#8
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,488	From Dr. Seuss, "The Tough Coughs as He Ploughs the Dough." Here'e something I thought of, "Take a bow after you tie a bow around the bough." lol

03-07-2021, 04:22 PM	#9
SledgeBarone Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 01, 2020 Posts: 1,930	"While at the hardware store, he was dwelling on his dwelling."

03-08-2021, 12:45 AM	#10
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	bough, cough, dough, rough, through. .. need I go on? Oh, and why is the plural of mouse mice but the plural of house isn't hice! And why is the plural of goose, geese but the plural of mongoose isn't mongeese! And why is Arkansas pronounced 'Ar-kan-SAW' but Kansas is pronounced 'KAN-sas' instead of 'Kan-SAW'

03-19-2021, 12:41 PM	#12
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	The only way to prevent oversights such as this from recurring, is through assuring additional oversight in the future.

03-20-2021, 02:39 AM	#13
Hawkee Michael Fassbender Fanatic Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Location: California Posts: 10,799	Another word that I can't figure out because even though it's spelled correctly it should be pronounced right is viscount and I always thought it was pronounced viss-count but then I saw it pronounced vye-count and it was confusing to me Bestie