Quite Random

[Catch-up]

And I'm guilty of it all the time.

[Bouncy Castle]

And I'm guilty of it all the time.

Ooh. Hello!

Somebody call Jerry Springer!

[Catch-up]

[Trish]

Why are people afraid to write a long sentence which communicates multiple ideas?

Because they are afraid of parallel sentences.

I love this place.
It's the only forum I belong to (3 others) where grammar is discussed, not assaulted.

[poohbcarrot]

Why are people afraid to write a long sentence which communicates multiple ideas?

Because they are afraid of parallel sentences.

So, long sentences are the trousers of time of grammar (ie the trousers of grammar). The longer the sentence, the more different the possibilities.
If you only write short sentences, it's easier to stay on subject eg;

"It was hot. And it was windy. But it wasn't humid"

This stayed on the subject of the weather. Now see what happens if you make it one long sentence;

"It was hot and windy but the elephant played croquet on the lawn"

As you can see, the longer sentence produced a parallel meaning. So obviously the longer the sentence the more different possibilities are available.

Eventually you have someone like Thomas Hardy who liked to use sentences three pages long which need an aqualung to read. "Tess" actually started out as a shopping list for Tesco, but due to the trousers of grammar became a best-seller.

[poohbcarrot]

The Trousers of Grammar theory explains why Jan Van Quirm writes posts that are miles long, take all evening to read and in which she contradicts herself and refutes her own arguments and in fact, in a parallel universe, Jan is still writing a post she started in March, but we still love her!

[Tina a.k.a.SusanSto.Helit]

Yes, we do. And, we love you too Pooh. :kiss:

[Jan Van Quirm]

The Trousers of Grammar theory explains why Jan Van Quirm writes posts that are miles long, take all evening to read and in which she contradicts herself and refutes her own arguments and in fact, in a parallel universe, Jan is still writing a post she started in March, but we still love her!

But at least I haven't had a sentence 3 pages long - yet!

You should see some of my posts on the LotR forum I help run!

re bolded quote - ever heard of rhetoric? Actually I can't help it - I have far too many Irish, Scot and Cornish genes

And look - I've not even posted at any length in here!

[Tonyblack]

That's funny!

[chris.ph]

do you do longer posts than lotr on your lotr forum jan

[Batty]

Why are people afraid to write a long sentence which communicates multiple ideas?

Because they are afraid of parallel sentences.

So, long sentences are the trousers of time of grammar (ie the trousers of grammar). The longer the sentence, the more different the possibilities.

What if the trousers of time have turn ups? Will time double back on itself?
Another thought is: what if the trousers are flared? Will you be able to fill more words in the sentence before you run out of material?

[Jan Van Quirm]

And THEN you get accused of confusing everyone by answering your own arguments

do you do longer posts than lotr on your lotr forum jan

Only if I get paid for it - and I don't - so no

I'm currently writing some fanfiction that is standing at just over 76 A4 pages (568Kb) but that runs at around 27 posts on the forum most of which are approx 5 or 6 screen scrolls long (there is a limit to how much text you can load into a post - between about 8 - 10 screeenfuls )

It's on a pretty intriguing subjectthough - how Sauron & Morgoth made the Orcs

[Tina a.k.a.SusanSto.Helit]

What if the trousers of time have turn ups? Will time double back on itself?
Another thought is: what if the trousers are flared? Will you be able to fill more words in the sentence before you run out of material?

Oh the Possibilities...and if the Trousers of Grammar are "High Water" trousers, will they be short thoughts?

[Who's Wee Dug]

What if the trousers of time have turn ups? Will time double back on itself?
Another thought is: what if the trousers are flared? Will you be able to fill more words in the sentence before you run out of material?

Oh the Possibilities...and if the Trousers of Grammar are "High Water" trousers, will they be short thoughts?

If they have turnups that just means they will arrive on time with a enough material if a blip flares up.

[poohbcarrot]

BUT should NEVER be used to start a sentence!

If you have the following two sentences;

It was raining. I went out.

The two ideas can be combined thusly (is that a word?)

It was raining, but I went out.
It was raining. However, I went out.
Although it was raining, I went out.

It was raining. But I went out. IS WRONG!

I'll bet Sir Pterry doesn't use "but" to start a sentence (not including dialogue because that's a whole different kettle of marine-living quadropeds )

If someone can supply me with a TP sentence beginning with "but", I'll donate 5 pounds to Alzheimer's.